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Domestic Abuse and Divorce – Mother and Children Feared for their Lives

Julie and Jeffrey got married in 2006 and share two young children. Jeffrey had always been abusive throughout their marriage. He would physically hit and choke her, bully his two children, and had several affairs with male partners. In addition to his violent behavior, he was an alcoholic and once under the influence, his abuse worsened. Because of his constant intoxication, he also failed to care for the children […]

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April is Fair Housing Month

Enacted on April 11, 1968, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination due to disability, race, familial status, national origin, sex, religion, or skin color in the sale, rental, and/or financing of dwellings and in other housing-related transactions. This year, Lone Star Legal Aid participates in the awareness campaign by featuring its Fair Housing Team on its weekly Facebook LIVE Friday […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Team Protects Affordable Housing in Houston

Houston, TX – In every large city in America, a small amount of housing is reserved for the poor, but it’s usually located in poor neighborhoods: with poor access to transportation, groceries, and jobs. Luckily, conditions improve when neighborhoods gentrify, except long-term residents don’t usually benefit from the improvements. Rising rents usually force out them, thereby continuing a cycle of […]

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Tenants Facing Eviction Deserve the Right to Legal Representation

The recent extension of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eviction moratorium is often interpreted as a sign that evictions will come to a screeching halt. However, the more realistic outcome has been that landlords and property owners have used plenty of legal methods to circumvent the order. While these owners often have the necessary resources to hire […]

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COVID-19 Resource – FEMA to Provide Financial Assistance for Funeral Expenses for Deaths Related to Coronavirus (Covid-19)

On April 12, 2021, FEMA began accepting applications for financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19), to help ease some financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. We’ve put together answers to common questions from FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Individuals and Households Program Policy. How can I apply for FEMA […]

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April 18th -24th is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

The purpose of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is to teach our communities about victimization, the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends, and the community. It’s also a time to promote legislation, policies and programs that help victims of crime. Organizations are coming together this April to provide education and advocacy for crime victims. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Texas […]

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CDC Order Preventing Eviction Extended Until June 30, 2021

The CDC order that stops evictions for nonpayment of rent has been extended to the end of June 2021. In order to get this protection from eviction, tenants are required to submit a declaration to their landlord. Below you will find a declaration in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese: DECLARATION (ENGLISH); DECLARATION (SPANISH); AND  DECLARATION (VIETNAMESE). Please review the declaration carefully and […]

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April 7th is World Health Day “Doing Our Part by Providing Health Care Benefits”

This World Health Day, Lone Star Legal Aid participates in raising awareness by featuring its Houston Public Benefits Unit on its weekly Friday Law Talk on April 9, 2021, at 3 PM at www.facebook.com/LoneStarLegalAid.  Lone Star Legal Aid’s Public Benefits Unit provides assistance to eligible individuals and families with obtaining Medicare, handing nursing home problems, obtaining county indigent health care, […]

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Building Safe Online Spaces

Since April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Lone Star Legal Aid wants to educate the community on how sexual assault crimes have become more prevalent than ever before. Now is the time to educate others on how to create safe online spaces. As people engage online, we can all learn about digital consent and how to intervene if we observe […]

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Tax Fraud and Identity Theft – Daughter Frauds Father Out of Receiving his Stimulus Check

Because Jordan was incarcerated for 10 months, he was unable to file a tax return for the 2019 tax year. As a result, when the pandemic hit in 2020, he did not receive Economic Impact Payment (EIP) or stimulus payment. He was frustrated and confused because he understood that every American was eligible as long as they made under $75,000 in […]

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Connecting Texas Kids To Medical Coverage – How COVID-19 has Impacted Family Life

The COVID-19 global health pandemic has caused widespread damage, including damage to the economy, right here in the United States. Families are suffering. They are desperate for money, food, shelter, and now, they need benefits to feed their families and take care of their children. COVID-19 has impacted family life, but thankfully Lone Star Legal Aid can help families obtain public […]

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COVID-19 Pandemic and Domestic Violence: One Year Recap

Challenging circumstances like the COVID-19 health pandemic have increased tension between intimate partners and reduced access to resources. Domestic violence has increased since the beginning of the pandemic, and now one year later, cases are still rising.  The same can be said for child and animal abuse. Even though the public has been encouraged to prevent the rise of COVID-19 […]

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Identity Theft – Financial Eligibility & Identity Restored

Doctors diagnosed Joseph with Progressive Glaucoma, which is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve resulting in permanent vision loss. He was told his eyesight would gradually fade over several years until he was blind, but little did he know he would be involved in an accident that would dramatically change his life sooner than he thought. […]

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COVID-19 Resource: New Coronavirus Relief Bill Approved – The American Rescue Plan

On March 11, the White House approved the $1.9 Trillion Virus Relief Bill.  The bill includes: $1,400 checks $300/week jobless benefits $3B for mental health $14B for Department of Veterans Affairs $1,400/week in paid leave benefits $3,600 for child allowance  $125B for K-12 schools $25B for rental assistance $25B for struggling restaurants  $30B for public transit $14B for Covid-19 vaccinations, […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid and Texas Legal Services Center Develop New Self Help Resource Tool

Did you know that as of January 1, 2021, there have been new Rules of Civil Procedure in Texas? These changes impact all parties in a lawsuit and require information to be shared with the other parties at the beginning of a lawsuit. If the information is not shared by the deadline stated in the new rules, there are consequences. […]

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National Consumer Protection Week: The Pandemic Scammer is not on Your Side

This week is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s National Consumer Protection Week. The week is  “designed to focus on the importance of keeping consumers informed while providing them with free resources explaining their rights in the marketplace.” This week offers information to keep consumers aware of potential scams and keep them protected with helpful prevention resources.  It is no secret […]

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March is Equal Justice Works’ Disaster Resilience Month

On February 23, 2021, The Equal Justice Works announced the first ever Disaster Relilience Month set for March. A collaborative of organizations has teamed up to spread awareness about disaster-related challenges and offer resources for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Throughout March, Lone Star Legal Aid will join Equal Justice Works, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the American […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – Disaster Unemployment

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) following February’s Winter Storm Uri. As of February 19, 2021, workers who have lost their jobs or self-employed individuals who haven’t been able to work due to damages from the storm may be eligible for DUA benefits.  Am I eligible? If one of the following applies to […]

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Survivors of Texas Severe Winter Storms Already Seeing Contractor Fraud Issues

Jasmine Melian, a physical therapist assistant at a Houston inpatient rehabilitation hospital, was at work last week when her children and 2 month old grandson lost power at the onset of Texas Winter Storm Uri. They immediately sought shelter with a relative and Jasmine joined them after she got off of work, and together they awaited the return of power. […]

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