News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
National Night Out was rescheduled in Texas to today, October 6, 2020, however, with COVID-19 still persisting and making social activities unsafe, the Houston Police Department (HPD) has officially postponed NNO city-wide and declared it will resume in 2021. Here is a statement from the Houston Police Department. “The Houston Police Department has decided to postpone our celebration of National […]
The IRS announced yesterday that they were extending the amount of time Americans have to request their Economic Impact Payment (stimulus) to November 21, 2020. This applies to people who didn’t have to file a 2019 tax return, who didn’t get their payment or register for it. If you have already completed the non-filer portal but have not gotten your […]
Every October, the United States takes a stand against intimate partner violence in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Advocates wear purple, survivors tell their stories, neighbors share their resources, and social media arranges an open forum for activists to educate the world. Join Lone Star Legal Aid this October in powering up against domestic violence. Domestic violence was a […]
This week’s Facebook Live virtual outreach schedule is jam-packed with information about resources from several of our community partners. Tune in at www.facebook.com/LoneStarLegalAid to catch one of our presentations listed below. Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at 1:00 PMOur Crime Victim’s Unit will talk with HPD’s Victim Services Department about resources for survivors of domestic abuse. Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at […]
Join Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) on Facebook for a live discussion tomorrow with the Houston Police Department Victim Services Unit. LSLA’s Crime Victim Unit Staff Attorney Courtney Porter joins HPD Victim Services Lieutenant Pleasant for a live chat discussing the purpose of HPD Victim Services, the process and expectations of getting help, how the Coronavirus has impacted their work, […]
Have you suffered food loss because of Hurricane Laura? A news release from Governor Abbot says that SNAP (Food Stamp) recipients in Hardin, Jefferson, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler counties will automatically receive replacement food stamp benefits. People in these counties have until September 30, to report other food loss and ask for benefits in addition to […]
Lone Star Legal Aid’s Individual Safety Unit has created The Safe Space, a virtual outreach series that will premier monthly to provide information and resources about sexual assault to survivors. Sexual violence can have an immediate and devastating effect on the survivor in nearly every aspect of their life, resulting in a need for survivor-centered and trauma-informed legal representation. Since […]
September 11th is National Day of Service and Remembrance, also known as Patriot Day. On this day, Americans across the country are called to pay tribute to the individuals lost and injured in the twin tower attacks. Today we fall silent to the first responders and the many who have signed their lives over in the line of service to […]
Houston, Texas – Lone Star Legal Aid is hosting a Facebook Live event on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at 1:00 PM CST to discuss the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s order preventing eviction for the remainder of 2020. Leaders in their field, Dana Karni, manager of LSLA’s Eviction Right to Counsel Project, and Jon-Ross Trevino, manager of LSLA’s Houston […]
Whether Lone Star Legal Aid offers advice to clients or gives them extended services, our team of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and communicators work with the client to ensure equal access to justice, to provide emotional support and to let their voices be heard. Our stories of justice platform is a full page of real stories told by real clients […]
In Texas, National Night Out is celebrated on the first Tuesday in August, which is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. In 1984, law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state […]
For tenants facing eviction, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its 20th Emergency Order on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. The order applies to rental properties covered by the CARES Act and requires landlords to make three statements about the rental property. First, the landlord must state that the tenant was provided with a 30 day Notice to Vacate. Failure to […]
Purpose Every year in July, organizations and government agencies focus their efforts on working to protect the military consumer. The purpose of this annual campaign is to raise awareness of how military service members and their families are at a heightened risk for fraud scams and identity theft. Learn more about how you can protect active and retired veterans in […]
Under the existing law, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers of a certain size are required to allow workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave without losing their job for personal sickness, to take care of sick family members or for a new baby. That could well apply to anyone who is sick or caring for a […]
Every July, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Defense, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Military Saves, and other consumer advocacy and military support organizations join for Military Consumer Protection Month in an effort to provide military consumers with resources about managing their money. 2020 has presented brand new challenges and this year, Lone Star Legal Aid joins Military Consumer […]
The Federal Government has approved protections for homeowners struggling economically as a result of COVID-19 related illness or loss of wages. Below you will find resources to several foreclosure moratoriums that could save your home. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for single family […]
Family dynamics have been altered due to the current health pandemic which have put children at a higher risk for abuse and neglect. The decline of childcare availability and economic hardship resulting from loss of employment may affect how parents and guardians treat their children. Abusive behaviors include sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. As the world tackles the virus and […]
On June 12, Harris County officially sent out half of its $30 million Coronavirus relief fund to 44 community-based organizations. These organizations are tasked with dispersing the money to eligible residents and families to help pay for housing, childcare, food, electricity, and other essential needs. Residents of Harris County in need can apply to qualify for the second round of […]
Each month, Lone Star Legal Aid recognizes victim-centered national and international awareness raising opportunities. These opportunities help crime survivors obtain the information they need to recover and also educate the community on how they can advocate for that particular cause. Below are all of the awareness opportunities happening in June. National Elder Abuse Awareness Month Elder abuse is defined as […]
Learn more about IMPACT, Lone Star Legal Aid’s group client and community partner, who has been working to raise awareness of legacy contamination in two Houston neighborhoods that is likely the source of a newly-determined Cancer Cluster, by watching this documentary by Aljazeera news. Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of […]