News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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Bailey met her boyfriend, Danny, through his sister. Their relationship was turbulent from the beginning, marked by emotional and physical abuse. After Danny was arrested for robbery, Bailey decided to end things for good, determined to focus on her career as a licensed security officer. But when Danny was released from jail more than a year later, he reached out […]
Houston City Council has approved $33 million to help Houston residents repair or rebuild homes damaged during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. Through the Single Family Home Repair Program, eligible homeowners may receive: • Up to $10,000 for reimbursement of out-of-pocket storm repairs• Up to $100,000 for home rehabilitation• Up to $300,000 for full home reconstruction These funds will support critical repairs so families can safely remain […]
When Sarah, age 15, was told by her dentist that she needed braces, her family assumed their health coverage through a Managed Care Organization (MCO) would help. But instead, Sarah’s orthodontic claims were denied again and again, with the MCO insisting the treatment was not “medically necessary.” Unsure how to fight the repeated denials, Sarah’s mother, Kathy, turned to Lone Star […]
Band Little Victories to Compete on Behalf of Legal Aid at White Oak Music Hall Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to announce that it has been selected as a beneficiary nonprofit of Law Rocks Houston, the city’s annual battle-of-the-bands fundraiser featuring musicians from Houston’s legal community. The event will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, […]
When Janet’s younger brother needed an immediate life-flight to a hospital from the facility where he lived, Janet realized something was wrong. Tommy is in his late 40s, just a few years younger than Janet. He is severely autistic. He’s non-verbal, but he can understand what people say. After his group home changed ownership, his behavior shifted. He began harming […]
Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) has closed its Conroe, Galveston, and Richmond offices as part of a strategic consolidation in response to several one-time grants coming to an end and reductions in federal funding for 2026. Despite these office closures, LSLA remains fully committed to serving residents in the affected counties. Clients will continue to receive free […]
Dennis, a hardworking landscaper, built his life around providing for his wife and young daughter. But when his health began to decline—high blood pressure, gout, arthritis, chronic pain, and depression—he could no longer keep working. When he applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), he was denied and told he was “not disabled.” Unsure where to turn, Dennis reached out […]
When Liza’s daughter and four grandchildren came to live with her in 2024, it was out of deep concern for their safety. Her daughter had left an abusive relationship and was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the left side of her head. According to her doctors, the injury may have been caused by being hit in the head by […]
Maira and her husband, Charlesh, married in Pakistan in 2013 and later built a life in the United States with their two children. At first, things looked promising—they obtained work, secured green cards, and planned for U.S. citizenship. But once in Texas, Charlesh’s behavior turned controlling and abusive. He isolated Maira, cut her off from financial independence, and forced her […]
Michael received a frightening letter from the IRS. It said he owed more than $14,000. “Notice of Intent to Levy and your Collection Due Process Right to a Hearing,” the letter said in large type, next to a caution symbol with an exclamation point. Since Michael and his wife barely make $14,000 a year, the tax bill put them into […]
Paul, a minor diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, has relied on Medicaid for years to receive specialized treatment for his eye condition. For five years, UnitedHealthcare, his Managed Care Organization (MCO), covered visits with a neuro-ophthalmologist who understood his complex needs. But without warning, UnitedHealthcare suddenly denied coverage for Paul’s annual visit, claiming his doctor was out-of-network. […]
Mark, a minor living with multiple disabilities and serious health challenges, suddenly lost access to his Medicaid benefits—even after his mother, Laura, submitted all required renewal paperwork. Laura only discovered the denial when she tried to take Mark to the doctor, only to be told his coverage had been cut off. Without Medicaid, Mark’s urgent medical needs went unmet, leaving […]
Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures. Every January, the United States observes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, a designated time to educate the public about modern-day slavery and human trafficking and to reaffirm our collective commitment to protect survivors and prevent exploitation. What Is Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are […]
Morgan, a 20-year-old living with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, depression, and seizures, had relied on Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) since the age of four. For sixteen years, these benefits provided critical support for him and his family. That stability was abruptly threatened when the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent Morgan a letter stating his benefits would be […]
When Claire met Drew at church in Illinois, she thought she had found her perfect match. What began as kindness and generosity soon revealed itself as “love bombing”—a tactic abusers use to lure their partners into toxic, controlling relationships. Within months of their marriage, Drew’s verbal abuse escalated into physical violence, leaving Claire isolated and afraid. Even pregnancy did not […]
Alex has lived with significant medical challenges for most of his life. He suffers from a kidney disorder, insulin-dependent diabetes, a learning disability, and severe depression. He cannot walk without a walker or wheelchair, and requires frequent hospital visits each year. Diagnosed with diabetes at age six, Alex’s health continued to decline into adulthood, and he was later diagnosed with […]
After the 2021 winter freeze, 80-year-old Carolyn Addison Rivera’s life was upended. Like countless Texans, her home suffered damage from frozen pipes. When she turned to a plumber for help, the work performed was substandard and came with an inflated bill. When Carolyn rightfully disputed the charges, the plumber retaliated by slapping a mechanic’s lien on her home. Suddenly, she […]
Free multicultural holiday concert set for December 13; donations support access to justice Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is honored to be the beneficiary of the 8th annual Holiday Voyage presented by Apollo Chamber Players. This Houston tradition celebrates the season through a blend of global, multicultural music. The free concert takes place Saturday, December 13, 2025, at […]
Michael Manuel is a hardworking Texan living with a vision impairment who was hired at Amazon in September 2023 through Social Security’s Ticket to Work program. He asked for reasonable accommodations so he could do his job safely; instead, the employer failed to provide them and later terminated him for “absenteeism”—a charge Michael believed was retaliation for requesting accommodations. With […]
For five years, Sophia worked tirelessly to care for her four children, two of whom are autistic, while enduring an increasingly abusive marriage to her husband, Ricky. What began as emotional abuse grew into physical violence, neglect, and threats. “He would say things like, ‘It’s my way or the highway. I will punish you,’” Sophia recalled. “My daughter was only […]