News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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PLAN YOUR ESCAPE The most dangerous time for a survivor of domestic violence is the moment when he or she decides to leave their abusive partner. When the abuser realizes they are losing control over their victim, they often take drastic and sometimes deadly steps to regain their power. Having a safety plan in place is vital to ensuring that […]
Longview, Paris, Texarkana, Tyler, Texas – Free legal assistance is available to low-income individuals in Cass, Lamar, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Van Zandt, and Wood counties affected by the North Texas Tornado that caused severe and widespread property damage and threatened loss of life on October 20, 2019. Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration that provides state resources to local […]
AUSTIN, October 11, 2019 — A toll-free legal assistance hotline is available to people affected by Tropical Storm Imelda and flooding that occurred in Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, and Orange counties September 17 through 23. This service is a partnership among Lone Star Legal Aid, the State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division […]
The 2020 Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1, 2019, until December 15, 2019. If you don’t act by December 15, 2019, you can’t get coverage unless you fall into the Special Enrollment Period. Special enrollment covers individuals who have certain life-changing events, like losing health coverage through an employer, moving, getting married or divorced, having a baby, or adopting […]
On September 13, the Executive Director (ED) of Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a formal response to public comments from hundreds of community members who are opposed to a major amendment on Municipal Solid Waste Permit (MSW) #1599B for Greenhouse Road Landfill, a Type IV Landfill located on Houston’s west side near Katy. If approved by TCEQ, the amendment […]
The severity of crimes associated with domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking was finally addressed by Congress when VAWA, the Violence Against Women Act, was passed in 1994. Within a decade, the legislature expanded the act including protections and provisions, improving action and enforcing efforts to address violence in America. The bill marked the first comprehensive federal legislative package designed […]
Lone Star Legal Aid is pleased to announce its 2019 Pro Bono Award recipients in celebration of the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Week – October 20-26, 2019. The National Celebration of Pro Bono is an annual opportunity to shine a spotlight on the amazing work done by pro bono lawyers, paralegals, and law students across the country. LSLA joins […]
Houston, TX – Tropical Storm Imelda survivors can now apply for disaster unemployment assistance if they either lost their jobs or are self-employed and have not been able to work because of damage from the storm. Individuals affected by Tropical Storm Imelda in Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery and Orange Counties can apply for benefits online through Unemployment Benefit Services […]
Every October, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) asks us to renew or join the commitment to help “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®.” In 1984, October was designated as Crime Prevention Month through a Presidential proclamation and since then, NCPC has been working with local law enforcement, government agencies, civic groups, schools and businesses, and other organizations to help […]
Six Texas Counties have received a Presidential Disaster Declaration as of Friday, October 5, 2019, resulting from Tropical Storm Imelda. According to the National Weather Service, Imelda was one of the wettest cyclones in U.S. history, leaving over 800 homes damaged. The counties now eligible for FEMA and SBA assistance are Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, and Orange. What can […]
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country. Domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status. It’s not just punches and black eyes — it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and […]
After a natural disaster, scammers are eager and adamant to target homeowners with post-disaster damage. In desperate times, it can be easy to fall victim to shady contractors who overpromise and under deliver. Having to avoid shady contractors in the wake of a natural disaster is a common experience for a homeowner. Con artists and fraudsters can be sneaky, but […]
Join Lone Star Legal Aid and CHILDREN AT RISK for an educational bus tour presentation on human trafficking in Houston Tuesday, October 22, 2019, generously sponsored by Locke Lord, LLP. Attorneys will get a first-hand look at both where major trafficking incidents were identified, where this crime may be presently occurring, and will learn to identify the red flags and […]
Bringing over 40 inches of rain to the Upper Texas Coast, many communities are just beginning to assess the damages left behind by Tropical Storm Imelda. Only two years after Hurricane Harvey’s unprecedented rainfall, Imelda submerged some areas left untouched by Harvey, while also striking hard-hit communities that are still struggling to recover from Harvey’s damage. During Hurricane Harvey, a […]
HOUSTON, TX — The State Bar of Texas and Lone Star Legal Aid remind residents that free legal resources are available to low-income individuals affected by severe storms and flooding spawned by Tropical Storm Imelda. Lone Star Legal Aid operates a toll-free disaster legal hotline — 866-659-0666 — that can help with issues such as replacing lost documents, answering insurance […]
You and your family’s personal safety comes first when preparing for a disaster. Disasters can take lives, homes, cars, as well as all of your personal belongings. Having your financial, medical, and identification information and documentation safe is vital to start the recovery process. Taking the time to protect these documents will save you from unnecessary stress following a disaster. […]
Overview Domestic violence affects each person differently and can happen to anyone regardless of their social, education, or financial status. While red flags are not always proof that someone is in an abusive relationship, they are worth noting, even if your friend does not recognize them themselves. Sometimes it takes another person to point out red flags for the person […]
End Violence Against Women International is collaboratively working with Netflix to promote a new limited series called Unbelievable, which will captivate its viewers by strategically enhancing the reach and impact of the message for survivors of sexual assault. On September 13, 2019, the limited series based on true events will be released, showing the horrific truth of what can go […]
Lone Star Legal Aid is no stranger to disaster recovery. This National Preparedness Month, LSLA focuses on preparation education. While it’s important to prepare the physical structure of your home for the elements, it is also important to make sure that your property is ready legally. When creating your emergency kit, make sure you have a place to safeguard important […]
All Lone Star Legal Aid offices are closed today, Monday, September 2, 2019, in observance of Labor Day. All offices will reopen during normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, September 3, 2019.