News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
A month before its intended expiry date, the CDC eviction moratorium was suspended by the Supreme Court, leaving tenants vulnerable to homelessness. Over 11 million renters have had trouble paying rent on time during the pandemic as unemployment blanketed the nation. The temporary halt on evictions did not absolve renters from the responsibility of paying the entirety of their owed […]
Healthy students are better learners. With medical coverage such as CHIP and Medicaid, students are more likely to attend school and earn higher grades. Many children, including the millions uninsured in Texas have difficulty accessing quality health care. The pandemic has established a new reality that education and health care are linked. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
Richard, 64, and his siblings, inherited the father’s home in 2018 along with roughly $9000 in past due property taxes including penalties and interest. After their father’s passing, Richard moved into the home, maintaining the property and paying the bills which included making payments towards the taxes. When the Covid pandemic hit, Richard had trouble keeping up with the payments and with the threat of foreclosure looming, he sought relief in the form of a loan to pay […]
Having high quality, affordable health coverage is beneficial for children and their families. With children heading back to school in August, coverage will help parents can rest easy knowing their children can get the routine preventive care that keeps them healthy and the medical help they need if they get sick or injured. Healthy children are better prepared to succeed in school […]
A bias crime is one that is fully or partially motivated against a person’s ancestry, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, immigration, citizenship status, race, religion, religious practice, disability, gender, marital status, age or sexual orientation is considered a bias crime, also known as a hate crime. Being prejudice or assuming an opinion about someone based on these factors can lead to fear, trauma, and other mental health issues for […]
This Sunday, August 8, 2021, Lone Star Legal Aid is joining Sisters of Charity Church for an outreach event starting at 10 AM at the Brookdale Villages Apartments. We will be there to help enroll your children for Medicaid and CHIP benefits as well as answer any of your questions. If you are looking to enroll your children on-site, make sure you bring […]
Overview Each year at the end of July, we recognize World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights. Thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of trafficking in their own countries and abroad. You can be a part of World Day Against Trafficking by jumpstarting the conversation to put an end to trafficking worldwide. With the widespread […]
In 2019, Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) Staff Attorney, Cheranda Robertson represented Samantha, a survivor of severe domestic violence and continual sexual assault from her husband Josh. When Robertson entered the case, the trial was in about a month and mediation resulted in a dead end. The property they shared consisted of three real estate properties, four vehicles, and personal effects. The couple came to California from Mexico in the 1980’s. They […]
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) will lower health insurance for Texans struggling to make ends meet during the ongoing pandemic. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMD) encourages consumers who have received unemployment in 2021 to update their application or enrollment during the Special Enrollment Period that runs from July 1 and August 15, 2021. People who were approved to receive unemployment for any week in 2021 may be able to find lower […]
In December of 2020, Anita started a Medicaid application for her two children, ages 13 and 15, while her 13 year-old child was still in the hospital, not able to breathe after contracting COVID-19. Anita was awarded the Medicaid Spend Down Program for both of her sons which is awarded to help with medical payments. The children were denied regular Medicaid and CHIP benefits because, according to HHSC, Anita’s income was too high to qualify for either. Anita was confused as to […]
Michelle applied for services with Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) at the Spring Branch Family Development Center Outreach Enrollment Clinic in May 2021, as a minor, with her mother signing as her guardian. Michelle was 28 weeks pregnant at the time and needed health and nutritional benefits so she could regularly visit her doctor for pregnancy appointments and make sure […]
Having high quality, affordable health coverage is beneficial for children and their families. With children heading back to school in August, coverage will help parents rest easy knowing their children can get the routine preventive care that keeps them healthy and the medical help they need if they get sick or injured. Healthy children are better prepared to succeed in school and […]
The Port Arthur Community Action Network and Lone Star Legal Aid are hosting an event for community members on Saturday, June 26 and would like to invite you and your family to attend! PACAN will be providing gift cards to those who were in any way affected by the February winter storm*** and free indoor air monitors to all attendees. The event […]
Natalie Cochran sat down with Christian Pineda and Elizabeth Green to talk about the Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Unit at Lone Star Legal Aid and how their work benefits the community. Listen here starting at 50:30.
June is Elder Abuse Prevention Month and all month, we are working with community partners and professional groups around the state to raise awareness about adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Our Justice for Older Adults aims at assisting older adults living in 25 high-poverty counties. This new advocacy initiative will serve older adults facing a variety of civil legal […]
Enrolled students (up to 21 years of age) in families that temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals for the 2020–2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT benefits can be used to buy food from any retailer that accepts the Lone Star Card. Who is eligible? […]
Since the first Coronavirus appearance in December 2019, the United States has experienced a multitude of obstacles, including the weight of isolation, unemployment, housing and food instability. In addition, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community has continually been on the receiving end of prejudice and racial discrimination. Why is this happening more than ever before? There is still […]
Mrs. Martinez’s son Jason was 13 years old when he passed away from a severe illness. Jason was in the hospital from December 2020 to January 2021. With medical bills piling up, Mrs. Martinez applied for Medicaid and was never sent an approval or denial letter for the deceased child. While he was still living, the hospital continuously reached out to collect the mounting debt and insensitive phone calls were the last thing Mrs. Martinez […]
The 2019 Public Charge Rule created confusion and fear that may have prevented immigrants and their families, including their children, from accessing critical government services available to them. It is critical that immigrants and their families, many of whom are essential workers, are able to access necessary government services for which they may be eligible to keep their families safe […]
May 9-15, 2021 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. This week is dedicated to informing, preparing, and planning for disastrous weather this hurricane season. Rain, wind, and water can happen anywhere, not just on the coast, so it’s keen to start preparing as soon as possible. It is important to consider how COVID-19 might affect your preparation plans. Make sure everyone […]
