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If you’re a federal employee affected by the government shutdown—either furloughed or working without pay—you may qualify for unemployment benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). You Can Apply for Benefits Now If you’ve been furloughed or are working fewer hours because of the shutdown, you can apply for unemployment benefits immediately. Online: Apply for benefits 24/7 at TWC’s website […]

Reginald Smith, a proud veteran, and his wife, Fawn, have been raising their daughter’s two children, Broderick and Jayla, for many years. They never thought twice about providing the love and stability their grandchildren needed. But when Broderick and Jayla reached college age, Reginald hit an unexpected barrier: the VA would not allow him to extend his earned education benefits […]

HOUSTON, TX — October 17, 2025 — Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) will mark the American Bar Association’s National Celebration of Pro Bono with a slate of free trainings for attorneys, a client-facing outreach event, and opportunities to get involved across our Texas and Arkansas service area. Pro Bono Week recognizes volunteer lawyers and legal professionals whose service expands access […]

After Fernando received a notice in the mail, he appeared at the courthouse in the next town over. He showed the judge a notice from LVNV, a debt collection company. LVNV’s letter said he owed over $3,000 on a loan he’d taken out from Cross River Bank more than three years ago. But Fernando hadn’t borrowed money from Cross Bank. […]

When a lease ends, many tenants expect their security deposit to come back in full. When renters move out, one of the biggest worries is whether they’ll get their security deposit back. Too often, landlords keep part—or even all—of a deposit for reasons that don’t seem fair. For Texas tenants, it helps to know what the law says and what […]

When Laura’s husband, Ron, strangled her during an assault, she feared for her life and the safety of her children. Ron was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony: assault by impeding breath or circulation. Laura quickly obtained a Protective Order to shield herself, her two sons, and her sister—but she also knew she needed to take the next step […]

Mr. Wilkins wanted to help his friend. She needed a car, so he co-signed on the loan. The 67-year-old disabled veteran didn’t realize he’d agreed to pay the car note if his friend defaulted. A few months passed and they lost touch. Twelve years later, something happened with the car and Mr. Wilkins had to appear in court. By the […]

Lone Star Legal Aid’s Technology Innovation Grant (TIG)-funded AI ChatBot Project continues to evolve as we prepare for internal rollout. Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress in functionality, expert engagement, and national visibility. Expert-Led Content Development We’ve moved into the subject matter expert (SME) phase for NAVI, our client-facing chatbot, with SME input also benefiting our internal […]

Taylor is a 29-year-old veteran in rural East Texas. She lives on a small veterans benefit check in a modest apartment with her young daughter. She called Lone Star Legal Aid because she needed a Durable Power of Attorney, or DPOA.  The purpose of a DPOA is to allow you to designate a person to take care of your person […]

Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.

Everything gets harder after an eviction. First of all, you’re homeless. Secondly, you have an eviction on your record, which makes it harder to find a landlord who will rent to you. That’s why our attorneys work hard to keep people from getting evicted in the first place. Marcia received an eviction notice because she was late with her rent […]

For most of his adult life, Mr. Roberts lived with both mental and visual impairments. His challenges grew even more severe after he survived a violent crime in which he was shot in the head, face, and arm. The bullets fragmented so extensively that pieces still remain lodged in his head and face.  These injuries, combined with his existing impairments, […]

Ms. Walker turned to Lone Star Legal Aid after receiving a devastating notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The agency had stopped her disability benefits and claimed she owed more than $27,000 in overpaid benefits—an amount that later increased to over $33,000. SSA alleged the overpayment was due to wages earned from September 2016 to September 2018, even though […]

This August, the curtain rises on justice, laughter, and a great cause. Night Court presents Law’s Anatomy, a musical parody that blends law, medicine, and mayhem—all while raising funds for Houston-area legal nonprofits, including Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military & Veterans Unit.  Dates: August 20–23, 2025 Location: The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Tickets: https://my.thehobbycenter.org/overview/7719?promo=LONESTAR  Use promo code LONESTAR […]

When Ms. Thompson moved into her new apartment in Conroe under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, she believed she had finally found a safe, stable home. Her rent portion had been estimated and approved by the Montgomery County Housing Authority (MCHA), and she paid what she was told was her share. But just weeks later, without warning, her […]

Soon, the Social Security Administration may start taking back up to 50% of your monthly check if you have an overpayment.   If your check is reduced, or if you get any notice of an overpayment, don’t wait.  Call Lone Star Legal Aid for help: 1-800-733-8394. Our attorneys can work with the Social Security Administration to modify your repayment plan – […]

Mr. Palmer, a disabled man living on a fixed income, has rented a space in the same RV park for over four years without issue. But everything changed when new management took over the property. Without warning, Mr. Palmer received an eviction notice—his first ever—accusing him of violating park rules. The experience left him overwhelmed and afraid. Facing the possibility […]

Gerard Smith, a disabled Air Force veteran and devoted single father, had done everything he could to keep his children safe and housed. After falling on hard times, he began renting an Airbnb as a temporary place to stay; since they were renting long-term without any complaints, the landlord offered Gerard’s family a six-month lease. After signing, Gerard found that […]

Lone Star Legal Aid stands in solidarity with Texans in the aftermath of the Kerr County flash floods, and are ready to help. On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood struck the Texas Hill Country—especially along the Guadalupe River—resulting in more than 119 confirmed deaths and many more missing. The loss of life has been the most heartbreaking outcome […]

When Drew, a disabled Army veteran, fell behind on rent, he faced more than just a late payment. He faced the very real threat of homelessness. Living in a rented RV without running water, Drew was already enduring unsafe and unsanitary conditions. When his landlord moved to evict him, it pushed an already desperate situation to the brink.  But Drew […]