News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
Each April, local communities, fair housing advocates, and fair housing organizations across the country commemorate Fair Housing Month by hosting an array of activities that highlight HUD’s fair housing enforcement efforts, enhance Americans’ awareness of their fair housing rights, and emphasize the importance of ending housing discrimination. Our Fair Housing team focuses on the right to stay in decent and […]
Homestead exemptions remove part of your home’s value from taxation, so they lower your taxes. For example, your home is appraised at $300,000, and you qualify for a $40,000 exemption (this is the amount mandated for school districts). You will pay school taxes on the home as if it was worth only $260,000. Not all homes qualify for a homestead […]
Civil legal aid helps people access basic necessities, such as health care, housing, government benefits, employment, and educational services. According to Legal Service Corporation’s 2022 Justice Report, nearly three quarters (74%) of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem in the previous year. A third (33%) of low-income Americans had at least one problem they attributed to the […]
Bailey met her boyfriend Danny through her friendship with his sister. They dated on and off for several years, often separating due to Danny’s emotional and physical abuse towards Bailey. When Danny was arrested for robbery, Bailey decided that was the final straw, and broke up with him. She had been working hard towards her career as a licensed security […]
Lone Star Legal Aid joined Children at Risk for an educational bus tour generously co-sponsored by Houston Young Lawyers Association and Vinson & Elkins LLP on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 2900 Weslayan St. Ste 400, Houston, TX 77027. This tour and discussion aimed to help expose the realities of domestic minor sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation […]
The Federal Trade Commission’s National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is March 5-11, 2023. Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Maybe you’re wondering about the best way to use credit, how to shop for a used car, or even how to prevent foreclosure or bankruptcy. NCPW is a time to help people understand their consumer rights. Texas […]
Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire on May 11, 2023. Earlier this month, there was an announcement ending the additional funding for SNAP recipients due to the PHE ending, […]
World Day of Social Justice is an international day that recognizes the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, environmental justice, and social protections. The 2023 theme is Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice. This year’s theme focuses on the recommendations of the UN’s Common […]
Updated February 15, 2023 Freeport, TX – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is evaluating the complaint submitted by Lone Star Legal Aid on behalf of residents living in the East End of Freeport, Texas in November 2017. The administrative complaint alleges violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 […]
The Federal Trade Commission’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week was between January 30 and February 5 this year. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal or financial information — like your Social Security or financial account number — to commit fraud. Seniors are vulnerable to identity theft scams because they are often more trusting, have more savings and home […]
Houston, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid will join Children at Risk for an educational bus tour generously co-sponsored by Houston Young Lawyers Association and Vinson & Elkins LLP on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 2900 Weslayan St. Ste 400, Houston, TX 77027. This tour and discussion aim to help expose the realities of domestic minor sex trafficking, labor trafficking, […]
Since shelters were opened for survivors of the Pasadena tornado, the American Red Cross and its partners have served 407 households by providing: -261 overnight stays for more than 100 residents in 3 emergency shelters; -3016 meals and snacks; and -265 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies. The American Red Cross was at the Beamer Place apartment office, […]
Pasadena, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid Staff was present to assist survivors of the January 24th Tornado Event at the Disaster Assistance Recovery Center located at the Pasadena Convention Center between Friday, January 27 and Sunday, January 29. The event was hosted by the City of Pasadena, and the City of Deer Park, to help residents gather important recovery […]
In April 2020, all Texas SNAP households, eligible for any amount of SNAP, began receiving the maximum SNAP allotment for their household size, regardless of income or deductions. They have all received 2 SNAP deposits per month on their Lone Star card – their regular SNAP allotment and their extra COVID SNAP benefits. February 2023 is the last month that […]
Disasters can take lives, homes, cars, and personal belongings. Safety comes first when preparing for a disaster. Through the federal resource ready.gov, we have compiled an exhaustive list of disaster preparedness steps you can take today to help ease any potential burdens in the year ahead. Make a Resolution Make an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn […]
January 2023 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Since 2010, the White House has dedicated this month to raising awareness on the different forms of human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, and educating people about this crime and how to spot it. This January also marks the nineteenth National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to […]
Most of Texas is expected to experience a winter freeze from Thursday to Sunday of this week. In addition to taking the necessary precautions for your home, it is important to stay informed on the warming centers nearest to you in case of emergency. You can track the Texas power grid’s conditions in real time to check for power outages. […]
Sandy is a 74 year-old widow in East Texas who struggled to maintain her household after her husband passed away. Although she was with her common law husband for 29 years, and they had children together, they never formally married. “I was never married before him, and I have never even dated anyone else,” said Sandy. Sandy applied for legal […]
A common question encountered in the world of law is the difference between legal aid and pro bono. The latter is considered a more familiar term among the general public and is often conflated with nonprofit legal aid work. However, there are important differences between these two practices. The term “pro bono” is a Latin term meaning “for the public […]
Summer P-EBT (June-August 2022) is for families with children (K-12) who were certified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2021-2022 school year or during summer 2022. Children born on or after Aug. 1, 2015, who receive SNAP, are eligible for summer P-EBT. It is a one-time benefit of $391 for each eligible […]
