News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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Lisa James worked at her job for nearly five years before feeling forced to resign due to a hostile work environment. Despite regularly working more than 40 hours per week, she was denied the overtime pay she was legally owed, and her employer claimed that she quit voluntarily. After being denied unemployment benefits by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Ms. […]
Since receiving TIG funding in December 2024, Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) has been working to develop and deploy three distinct chatbot tools designed to enhance legal access and organizational efficiency: Juris, LSLAsks, and Navi. As of the halfway point in our first project year, each system is actively in development—with several components already undergoing internal testing. Juris – The […]
How long does it take to pay off a $400 loan? It depends on the interest rate. James* got a loan for $400. The interest rate was so high, he could never pay it off. Why? Because the fees piled up too fast. He paid $50 every month for three years. That’s more than a thousand dollars; way more than […]
Denise paid more than $2,000 a month to rent her apartment. Her refrigerator broke. Her landlord didn’t fix it correctly. At first it was ok. She told someone in the front office. They gave her $200 for the spoiled food and fixed the refrigerator. But then, the refrigerator failed again. Water leaked everywhere. A month later, the refrigerator stopped working […]
HOUSTON, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid proudly announces that Litigation Director Amy Dinn has been honored with the Environmental Champion of 2024 Award by Better Brazoria, a long-time community partner based in Freeport, Texas. The surprise award presentation took place on Wednesday, April 30, at LSLA’s Houston office, where Melanie Oldham from Better Brazoria joined LSLA to recognize Amy’s […]
After more than twenty years of marriage, an East Texas woman experienced the sudden loss of her husband. Just a few months later, she faced another devastating loss when her adult daughter also passed away. Jane had been living with her daughter in a home that her daughter had purchased a few years prior. As a result of this loss, […]
Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Ms. Rayo came to Lone Star Legal Aid following the death of her husband, facing a complex web of legal and financial uncertainty. Her husband had been the sole owner of their home and the only person listed on the mortgage and utility accounts. As an elderly, Spanish-speaking widow, she was navigating grief, paperwork, and the risk of losing access […]
COVID-19 was a difficult time that affected many people. The Smith family in particular faced many financial challenges. George, his wife Madison and their child went through extreme hardships due to both of them losing their jobs, which resulted in them becoming behind on rent for a privately owned property. Their landlord claimed to send them a notice to vacate […]
Jessica needed medical treatment. Every time she called the Texas Health and Human Services Department (HHSC), she got the “run-around,” she said. The doctor said her Medicaid plan was inactive. HHSC said it was active. Jessica’s Medicaid plan is called QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary). For people on Disability, QMB covers expensive co-pays for treatments like the one Jessica needed. Since […]
Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid proudly announces that Fallon Hamilton Vaughn, a staff attorney on the Civil Matters in Criminal Justice Team, has been elected Director of the Houston Lawyers Association (HLA). At the HLA’s 70th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala held on May 3, 2025, Vaughn was also honored with the prestigious Presidential Pillar Award, recognizing her […]
If you’re on the waiting list for a Housing Choice Voucher, the Houston Housing Authority (HHA) says you must re-register in a new system by 5pm on June 2, 2025. Those who do not re-register by the deadline will be removed from the waitlist. There are two waiting lists. The first is for housing choice vouchers. To join the other […]
When 65-year-old Royce Galbreath reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid, she had already received a denial from FEMA. A widow living with limited mobility, Royce relied on her cane and walker to move around her home, made accessible by a ramp and lift system. But after Hurricane Beryl tore through her neighborhood, her home was no longer the safe […]
For many low-income families, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is a crucial lifeline that provides access to affordable housing. The program allows families to rent private homes while receiving financial assistance to cover a portion of their rent. However, the process of obtaining and maintaining a voucher can be difficult to navigate, especially for those who experience challenges […]
After serving in Iraq helping rebuild schools, medical clinics, and places of worship, Ms. Schexnayder came home to a different kind of battle—this time with her health and the Social Security system. She stopped working in 2022 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Even before the diagnosis, she had been dealing with serious health problems that made working difficult. The […]
When you’re living on a fixed income, every dollar matters. Ms. T, 57, resides with her husband in their quiet home as empty nesters. With both relying on limited Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any unexpected deductions or changes in benefits can create significant financial strain. After her husband was awarded SSI, Ms. T came to Lone Star Legal Aid with […]
Lone Star Legal Aid continues to make steady progress on our AI chatbot project, supported by the Legal Services Corporation’s Technology Initiative Grant. Our team is focused on building a smarter, more responsive system that empowers clients to navigate legal issues, starting with housing and family law, more easily and effectively. During our most recent project meeting, team members Ashley […]
Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed on Friday, April 18. All offices will reopen on Monday, April 21. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
For many families, Social Security benefits are a vital source of support. When those benefits disappear unexpectedly, it can truly shake their world. This was the reality for our client, Ms B, a dedicated 45-year-old mother of two, who faced an overwhelming situation when her disabled son’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits were suddenly stopped. Even though she had tried […]
When Landlords Won’t Accept Rent Renters are legally obligated to pay rent. But what happens when a tenant tries to pay—and the landlord refuses to accept it? Unfortunately, that’s what happened to Mr. Kenneth Murray, a 66-year-old veteran, whose story highlights a disturbing housing trend that can leave vulnerable tenants at risk of losing their homes. Mr. Murray is a […]
