Texas veterans are invited to participate in Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW), a statewide effort in honor of Veteran’s Day coordinated by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and legal aid programs across the state. During the week of Nov. 6-10, legal aid programs, local bar associations, law schools and pro bono private lawyers will provide civil legal services for qualified Texas veterans in various locations throughout the state. Lone Star Legal Aid has had events every day this week and has more scheduled throughout its service area. Click here to see if there is an event scheduled near you.
Our state has the second-highest population of veterans in the nation. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual survey of homeless and formerly homeless veterans, legal issues account for five of the top 10 unmet needs of homeless veterans. Obtaining access to free legal services can be critical for veterans to get the benefits and support they need for themselves and their families.
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation provided $1.87 million in grants this year to 14 nonprofit organizations that provide free legal services to veterans. The 84th Texas Legislature appropriated $3 million in funding to legal services for our veterans and their families. Each year legal aid organizations provide free legal services to more than 8,000 Texas veterans. For more information on Texas Access to Justice Foundation, visit their website at www.teajf.org.
NOTE: For veterans unable to attend a TVLAW event, Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) will host a live online ‘chat’ Nov. 6-10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to assist Texas veterans with legal questions, or can be reached at 1-800-622-2520, Option 2. Visit: www.texaslawhelp.org.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and also 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, such as those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org.
