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DHS Agrees to Review Complaint Against City of Freeport, TX and Port Freeport for Title VI Violations of the Civil Rights Act

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 […]

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February 20th is World Day of Social Justice 2022 – Achieving Social Justice Through Formal Employment

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 2022 theme is Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment. The focus is on the formalization of employment to reduce poverty and inequality. […]

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2022 Updated Income Limits for CHIP and Children’s Medicaid

We have a dedicated team of lawyers and paralegals who can help applicants who qualify for our services apply for Children’s Medicaid or CHIP benefits. We can enroll on your behalf, monitor the progress of your application, and notify you when a decision has been made. We can also help recertify your application when it is time for your renewal. […]

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Teen Dating Violence – Walking on Eggshells

Walking on eggshells around your abusive partner can be terrifying, especially when you are constantly threatened and assaulted. Kaitlyn was just a teenager when her boyfriend began violent tendencies. When Peter was 23, he met 19-year-old Kaitlyn. Soon thereafter, she became his girlfriend, and then she became pregnant with his child. Early on in their relationship, she learned that if […]

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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month – Talk About It 2022

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) is a month-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about teen dating abuse in an effort to prevent it before it starts. It is important to speak up about the challenges teens face in relationships, and the reality that dating violence happens to millions of people, including teens. Getting the conversation started about teen dating […]

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Protecting Older Adults from Identity Theft During Tax Season

The Federal Trade Commission’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week was last week. 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 equity built up, and are less […]

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February is Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of African Americans’ achievements and a time to recognize their central role in U.S. History. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson, and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated February Black […]

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LSLA’s Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Unit: Keeping Children Healthy

TEXAS MEDICAID AND CHIP PROGRAMS Texas Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offer parents peace of mind knowing their children can get the routine preventative care they need, when they need it, keeping them healthy.  These programs secure medical coverage benefits for more than 45 million children. Despite the number of those covered, there are still many children […]

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2022 Tax Filing Season Has Begun

The IRS will officially begin tax season on Monday, January 24th. There have been some changes to tax-filing season this year, and you can get ahead by learning what will be expected of you. In 2021, the IRS was inundated with calls about filing extensions, unemployment, and stimulus checks, so this year they have provided free help options to taxpayers. […]

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Gender Marker and Name Changes for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Texans

PRIDE without Prejudice is our virtual outreach series aimed at providing legal information and resources to the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. Here at Lone Star Legal Aid, we recognize the importance of creating an online space where gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals can get important information about their rights in the legal landscape.  For transgender folks, changing […]

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January is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month and National Stalking Awareness Month

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Since 2010, the President has dedicated the month to raising awareness about the different forms of human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, and educating people about this crime and how to spot it. Texas is a hot spot for human trafficking in the United States. Its population is spread over […]

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Disabled Veterans Now Eligible for Homestead Tax Exemption in 2022

As of January 1, 2022, veterans who receive 100% disability compensation are eligible for a new homestead tax exemption. What is a homestead exemption? Homestead exemptions remove part of your home’s value from taxation, so they lower your taxes. For example, your home is appraised at $100,000, and you qualify for a $25,000 exemption (this is the amount mandated for […]

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No Surprises Act – New Federal Law Prohibits Surprise Medical Bills

Houston, TX – The No Surprises Act (NSA) establishes new federal protections against surprise medical bills. If you’ve ever received a surprise bill after a trip to an emergency room, after thinking it would be covered by insurance, it was due to something called balanced billing. Balance billing occurs when an insured patient receives care from a physician, hospital or […]

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January is Poverty in America Awareness Month

January is Poverty Awareness Month, a month-long initiative to raise awareness and call attention to the growth of poverty in America. We fight to end poverty by creating equity and opportunity. Throughout the month of January, we’ll be talking about how and why poverty continues to impact so many people. From housing and healthcare, to personal and family safety, we […]

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Recent School Shootings are Sparking Troubles in Mental Health: Health Benefits are Available

The rise in recent school shootings   Mass school shootings are a traumatic event that can potentially trigger mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in people directly impacted by a violent threat, such as a school shooting. Studies show that adolescent trauma has more lifelong effects on young people with developing brains. This causes them to struggle […]

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Domestic Violence and Arson – A Man with a Fiery Temper

It wasn’t unusual for the police to arrive at Cynthia’s home in the middle of the day, however this time, they expected to find her dead. They always came and checked on her and warned her to never leave her house at night. Cynthia was a victim of domestic violence for two years until she got a divorce from her […]

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Public Libraries Are Open at 75% Capacity

Houston, TX – Following statewide guidance, public libraries are now open at 75% capacity. Masks are required to enter all government facilities. If you do not have a mask, the library will provide one free of charge. Aside from offering access to physical collections of books and movies to browse and check out, public libraries also offer computer access, printing […]

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3G Network Shutdowns: Preparing Older Adults and Low-income Individuals

While 4 and 5G networks are available, many older adults and low-income individuals use older cell phones, life alerts or other devices that still use 3G networks. 3G Wireless Networks are scheduled to shut down in 2022, which will prevent 3G cell phone users from placing and receiving calls, and cutting off their access to data.  Each mobile carrier plans […]

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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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