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Internal Revenue Service Extends Tax Filing Deadline to June 15, 2021

The Internal Revenue Service has extended the tax filing season for Texas residents after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state. Instead of April 15, the tax deadline for individuals and businesses in Texas is June 15, the IRS announced Monday in a news release. Taxpayers in other states affected by the winter storms that had disaster declarations issued by […]

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CHIP and Texas Children’s Medicaid Renewal Application Extension and Updates

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons relating to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The act gives all American businesses, with fewer than 500 employees, funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care […]

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Public Utility Commission Halts Disconnection of Service for Those Unable to Pay Steep Bills

Following last week’s winter storm, many Texas consumers saw their wholesale electricity rates shoot up significantly, leaving them worried that their power would be disconnected if they were unable to make their utility payments. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) has put in place several orders last Sunday that aim to protect Texans from utility disconnections for non-payment.  In […]

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FACES OF EVICTION AND HEALTH CARE: Family Illegally Locked out of Home and in Need for Health Benefits

Gregory, a Houston father, contracted COVID-19 and then his family’s life took a turn for the worst. Gregory lost his job due to contracting the virus, his landlord illegally locked the entire family of their home for not being able to come up with enough money to pay the rent, and they had no medical coverage.  Gregory could not work […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – Small Business Administration Loans

If you’ve applied for FEMA and have been denied, you may receive a phone call to advise you of ways to apply for the Small Business Administration (SBA). If referred to the SBA, a loan application must be completed and returned to be considered for a loan. The SBA gives low-interest disaster loans. You don’t have to own a business. […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – How to Avoid Home Repair Fraud in the Wake of Disaster

In the aftermath of the Texas winter storm, which resulted in more snow than the state has seen since 1968, many Texans are desperately seeking help for the physical damage their homes have sustained. While this disaster has brought many communities together, it has also opened the doors to inevitable scams, like price gouging or home repair fraud. Scammers rely […]

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Texas Winter Storm Recovery – Facebook Live Legal Information Session – Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 1 PM CST

Lone Star Legal Aid is hosting a Facebook Live event on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 1:00 PM CST to discuss recovery from Texas Severe Winter Storm (DR-4586-TX), now a federally declared disaster. Texans are still feeling the effects of the deep freeze that swept through the state over the last week, leaving many with no power or running water. […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – Replacement SNAP (Food Stamps)

Thousands of Texas families lost all the food in their fridges after lengthy power outages and while enduring record low temperatures. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has received federal approval to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps) recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to the severe winter weather. SNAP […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – What can FEMA do for me?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm beginning on Feb. 11, 2021 and continuing. Important deadline: You have 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration (2/19/21) to apply […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – How to Submit a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Residential homes may have structural issues related to freezing water and many will have leaks which will become even more apparent as the ice thaws due to the winter storm that wreaked havoc in Texas over the last week. If you have homeowners insurance, you may have coverage for this. Find and read your insurance policy as soon as possible, […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – Renter’s Rights, How to Request Repairs from Landlord

As Texans continue to face the effects of a record-breaking winter storm, they’re faced with new issues, like broken pipes or plumbing problems that have caused flooding and other damage in their homes. Texas renters have a right to ask their landlord for repairs. Identify where you need to submit your request for repairs. Your lease should tell you who […]

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Texas Winter Storm Resource – How to Spot and Report Price Gouging

Price gouging is illegal, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General and Harris County Attorney haves authority to prosecute any business that engages in price gouging after a disaster has been declared by the governor or president. Texas is currently under a state disaster declaration and federal emergency declaration as its residents endure a record-breaking winter storm, many without […]

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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Four Ways to Advocate for Young Victims

In February, crime victim support organizations get involved for National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to end the stigma and get people talking about violence seen in our youth. There are many ways to advocate for teen dating violence (TDV) such as being a voice on social media, wearing orange or being there for a friend that has experienced violence. […]

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The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to Provide Emergency Rental Assistance to Tenants and Landlords

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has recently received $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program. TDHCA will use the funds to help renters in Texas pay both current and past due rent and utility bills. Applicants can require assistance for past due, current, and up to […]

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Facebook Live Chat Discussion on Domestic Violence and Teen Dating Violence – Friday, February 5, 2021 at 10:30am CST

Join Lone Star Legal Aid and FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center this Friday, February 5th at 10:30am for a live discussion on Facebook. Three of our own staff members will be discussing domestic violence as well as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month with our special guest and CEO of FamilyTime, Christina Allen. Social worker, Ashleigh Cormier, Social Work Intern, Kayler […]

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Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week: Don’t Become a Victim of Tax-related Identity Theft

Tax season is approaching! February 3-7, 2021 is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. In the United States, individuals must file a tax return by April 15 giving the IRS all reportable earnings. However, this is also the time of year for tax-related identity theft. Scammers are on the hunt for your identity in order to report false income data and […]

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Connecting Texas Kids to Medical Coverage Frequently Asked Questions

The application process for children’s CHIP or Medicaid can be confusing and overwhelming. Our team of attorneys and paralegals are here to guide you through the entire application process as well as monitor the status of your child’s application. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage team prepared answers to the most common health coverage related questions they […]

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Connecting Texas Kids to Medical Coverage Blog Series Part III: Medicaid Expansion Affecting Uninsured Children in Texas

Texas is one of the 14 states that has not expanded Medicaid, leaving 21.5% of children uninsured. About 50% of uninsured children reside in six states in the United States, with Texas taking the lead. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Program (CTKC) legally assists low-income families when applying their kids for medical coverage. We can help […]

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Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Blog Series PART II: Services LSLA Offers During Benefits Application or Renewal

In the previous blog on Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage (CTKC), we informed you on what health insurance benefits are available for children and how having these benefits are vital to a child’s health. Texas Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are two programs our CTKC unit at Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) can help your child obtain. Our […]

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