Natalie Cochran

In December of 2020, Anita started a Medicaid application for her two children, ages 13 and 15, while her 13 year-old child was still in the hospital, not able to breathe after contracting COVID-19. Anita was awarded the Medicaid Spend Down Program for both of her sons which is awarded to help with medical payments. The children were denied regular Medicaid and CHIP benefits because, according to HHSC, Anita’s income was too high to qualify for either. Anita was confused as to […]

Michelle applied for services with Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) at the Spring Branch Family Development Center Outreach Enrollment Clinic in May 2021, as a minor, with her mother signing as her guardian. Michelle was 28 weeks pregnant at the time and needed health and nutritional benefits so she could regularly visit her doctor for pregnancy appointments and make sure […]

Having high quality, affordable health coverage is beneficial for children and their families. With children heading back to school in August, coverage will help parents rest easy knowing their children can get the routine preventive care that keeps them healthy and the medical help they need if they get sick or injured.  Healthy children are better prepared to succeed in school and […]

Natalie Cochran sat down with Christian Pineda and Elizabeth Green to talk about the Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Unit at Lone Star Legal Aid and how their work benefits the community. Listen here starting at 50:30.

June is Elder Abuse Prevention Month and all month, we are working with community partners and professional groups around the state to raise awareness about adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Our Justice for Older Adults aims at assisting older adults living in 25 high-poverty counties. This new advocacy initiative will serve older adults facing a variety of civil legal […]

Enrolled students (up to 21 years of age) in families that temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals for the 2020–2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Lone Star Card.  Who is eligible?  […]

Mrs. Martinez’s son Jason was 13 years old when he passed away from a severe illness. Jason was in the hospital from December 2020 to January 2021. With medical bills piling up, Mrs. Martinez applied for Medicaid and was never sent an approval or denial letter for the deceased child. While he was still living, the hospital continuously reached out to collect the mounting debt and insensitive phone calls were the last thing Mrs. Martinez […]

The 2019 Public Charge Rule created confusion and fear that may have prevented immigrants and their families, including their children, from accessing critical government services available to them. It is critical that immigrants and their families, many of whom are essential workers, are able to access necessary government services for which they may be eligible to keep their families safe […]

May 9-15, 2021 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. This week is dedicated to informing, preparing, and planning for disastrous weather this hurricane season. Rain, wind, and water can happen anywhere, not just on the coast, so it’s keen to start preparing as soon as possible. It is important to consider how COVID-19 might affect your preparation plans. Make sure everyone […]

For many people, becoming an older adult brings newfound freedom and benefits: grown children, impending retirement, exploring new interests, travel, and more time for self-care. But just as often, older adulthood can bring challenges to safety, independence, self-determination, and financial security. May is Older American’s Month which raises awareness concerning elder abuse and neglect as we age. We must be […]

Lone Star Legal Aid is beginning to have more community partners join our Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Unit for on-site enrollment clinics. Please see the dates and times below. BakerRipley Harback: Medicaid/CHIP Enrollment Clinic   Frequency: Monthly Event – 3rd Wednesday of the Month  Address: 6225 Northdale Street Houston, TX 77087  Time: 9 AM – 1 PM  Highland Heights Elementary School: Medicaid/CHIP Enrollment Clinic  Frequency: […]

Did you hear us on the radio last Friday, April 23, 2021 on the People’s News? In case you missed it, you can listen to Natalie Cochran from the Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Unit at LSLA talk about how you can get your kids CHIP and Medicaid benefits for your children. Listen here starting at 27:00.  

HHSC announced SNAP and Medicaid benefit renewals will automatically be renewed so that existing clients can maintain coverage during the crisis, but many Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) clients have reported their benefits have been denied or terminated.  Lone Star Legal Aid’s Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Team is available to help SNAP and Medicaid recipients with the appeal process […]

Julie and Jeffrey got married in 2006 and share two young children. Jeffrey had always been abusive throughout their marriage. He would physically hit and choke her, bully his two children, and had several affairs with male partners. In addition to his violent behavior, he was an alcoholic and once under the influence, his abuse worsened. Because of his constant intoxication, he also failed to care for the children […]

The purpose of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is to teach our communities about victimization, the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends, and the community. It’s also a time to promote legislation, policies and programs that help victims of crime. Organizations are coming together this April to provide education and advocacy for crime victims. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Texas […]

More than 1 in 5 uninsured children nationwide live in Texas which is about 835,000 kids — by far the highest number of any state. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Connecting Texas Kids to Medical Coverage Unit helps parents get health care benefits for kids in Texas.  Various factors, including immigration status, contribute to families knowingly avoiding federal benefit programs. For some parents, the challenge is simply that they […]

This World Health Day, Lone Star Legal Aid participates in raising awareness by featuring its Houston Public Benefits Unit on its weekly Friday Law Talk on April 9, 2021, at 3 PM at www.facebook.com/LoneStarLegalAid.  Lone Star Legal Aid’s Public Benefits Unit provides assistance to eligible individuals and families with obtaining Medicare, handing nursing home problems, obtaining county indigent health care, […]

Since April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Lone Star Legal Aid wants to educate the community on how sexual assault crimes have become more prevalent than ever before. Now is the time to educate others on how to create safe online spaces. As people engage online, we can all learn about digital consent and how to intervene if we observe […]

Because Jordan was incarcerated for 10 months, he was unable to file a tax return for the 2019 tax year. As a result, when the pandemic hit in 2020, he did not receive Economic Impact Payment (EIP) or stimulus payment. He was frustrated and confused because he understood that every American was eligible as long as they made under $75,000 in […]

The COVID-19 global health pandemic has caused widespread damage, including damage to the economy, right here in the United States. Families are suffering. They are desperate for money, food, shelter, and now, they need benefits to feed their families and take care of their children. COVID-19 has impacted family life, but thankfully Lone Star Legal Aid can help families obtain public […]