Normally, tax relief for the year only comes the following year when you file your taxes, no matter how much you need it now. Many families are eligible to receive half of the Child Tax Credit for next year’s taxes as a monthly payment starting in July. For every child 6-17 years old, qualifying families will get $250 each month, […]
Funding is available for McLennan County residents for rental payments, utility payments, and household internet expenses, where applicable. To participate in the McLennan County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be a resident of McLennan County A member of the household must have a valid government-issued photo ID Must have a financial hardship that was […]
Funding is available for Montgomery County residents for rental payments, utility payments, and household internet expenses, where applicable. To participate in the Montgomery County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be a resident of Montgomery County A member of the household must have a valid government-issued photo ID Must have a financial hardship that was […]
Funding is available for Smith County residents for rental payments, utility payments, and household internet expenses, where applicable. To participate in the Smith County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be a resident of Smith County A member of the household must have a valid government issued photo ID Must have a financial hardship that […]
Funding is available for Bell County residents for rental payments, utility payments, and household internet expenses, where applicable. To participate in the Bell County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be a resident of Bell County A member of the household must have a valid government issued photo ID Must have a financial hardship that […]
Starting June 14, 2021, funding is available for Brazoria County residents for rental payments, utility payments, and household internet expenses, where applicable. To participate in the Brazoria County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be a resident of Brazoria County. A member of the household must have a valid government-issued photo ID. Must have a […]
The State of Texas’ participation in federal pandemic unemployment benefit programs is ending. As a result, the final benefit week that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will pay federal pandemic unemployment benefits under the American Rescue Plan is the benefit week ending June 26, 2021. This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for those who traditionally do not qualify […]
La participación del estado de Texas en los programas federales de beneficios por desempleo pandémico está terminando. Como resultado, la última semana de beneficios en la que la Comisión de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas (TWC) pagará los beneficios federales por desempleo pandémico bajo el Plan de Rescate Americano es la semana de beneficios que finaliza el 26 de junio […]
Every June, Lone Star Legal Aid participates in National Homeownership Awareness Month by celebrating all the work we do to keep homeowners in their homes. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Foreclosure Prevention Project helps low-income homeowners and their families preserve homeownership and, in doing so, protect home equity, gain housing stability, and safeguard communities. The Foreclosure Prevention Project works to prevent […]
Union Pacific (“UP”) has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) for an RCRA Permit that would address the Creosote/DNAPL Plume that is currently underneath parts of a residential neighborhood in the 5th Ward/Kashmere Gardens area, as well as its own property. Before UP’S permit is approved, the public has the right to weigh in on the matter […]
The amount you pay in property taxes as a homeowner is determined by multiplying the assessed (calculated or estimated) value of your property and your tax rate. You can protest these values if you believe they are wrong. It may vary by county, but in most cases, the deadline to protest property taxes in Texas is May 15 or 30 […]
The Federal Communications Commission is offering an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program that provides support for broadband (internet) services and certain devices to help low-income households stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. About the Emergency Broadband Benefit The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide […]
Lone Star Legal Aid and Staff Awarded Three 2021 Pro Bono Excellence Awards Annually, the State Bar of Texas Committee for Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters presents awards to individuals, groups, and entities that perform exceptional work in the field of legal services to the poor. Lone Star Legal Aid and staff members, Dana Karni and Lena […]
Enacted on April 11, 1968, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination due to disability, race, familial status, national origin, sex, religion, or skin color in the sale, rental, and/or financing of dwellings and in other housing-related transactions. This year, Lone Star Legal Aid participates in the awareness campaign by featuring its Fair Housing Team on its weekly Facebook LIVE Friday […]
The CDC order that stops evictions for nonpayment of rent has been extended to the end of June 2021. In order to get this protection from eviction, tenants are required to submit a declaration to their landlord. Below you will find a declaration in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese: DECLARATION (ENGLISH); DECLARATION (SPANISH); AND DECLARATION (VIETNAMESE). Please review the declaration carefully and […]
All Lone Star Legal Aid offices are closed Friday, April 2, 2021, and will reopen on Monday, April 5, 2021. Lone Star Legal Aid accepts applications during normal business hours via phone at 1-800-733-8394 or at any time at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Did you know that as of January 1, 2021, there have been new Rules of Civil Procedure in Texas? These changes impact all parties in a lawsuit and require information to be shared with the other parties at the beginning of a lawsuit. If the information is not shared by the deadline stated in the new rules, there are consequences. […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Houston, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid is excited to announce it has received a charitable donation from Powered By People on behalf of the Eviction Defense Coalition. Powered By People is a grassroots organization led by former congressman, Beto O’Rourke, that has set forth to mobilize volunteers and raise money to support Texas families. The Covid-19 […]
On February 23, 2021, The Equal Justice Works announced the first ever Disaster Relilience Month set for March. A collaborative of organizations has teamed up to spread awareness about disaster-related challenges and offer resources for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Throughout March, Lone Star Legal Aid will join Equal Justice Works, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the American […]
Jasmine Melian, a physical therapist assistant at a Houston inpatient rehabilitation hospital, was at work last week when her children and 2 month old grandson lost power at the onset of Texas Winter Storm Uri. They immediately sought shelter with a relative and Jasmine joined them after she got off of work, and together they awaited the return of power. […]