Jerry Thomas initially contacted Lone Star Legal Aid for a family law matter. In the middle of his case, he also found himself at risk of a groundless eviction and asked if LSLA could get involved. Thomas is a blind, disabled veteran living on social security disability as his sole source of income. His landlord requires rent payments be made through an online portal, which caused Mr. Thomas significant issues due to his disability. The portal was not working, and the problem seemed to be an internal issue rather than user error. Mr. Thomas went to great pains to contact the property management and third-party vendor who runs the portal, but unfortunately, the issue wasn’t resolved immediately. By the time he was connected to a live person to discuss his issue, the window of time permitting him to pay rent online had closed. Per the terms of the property management policies and his lease agreement, he was now obligated to pay rent in cash. However, his government payment account was set up to go to a card, rather than his bank account, so he could not withdraw the money as cash. He soon received a pay or quit notice, letting him know that his options were to pay rent or vacate the apartment. Thomas documented all his correspondence and numerous efforts to pay online, and brought the evidence to his attorney.
LSLA attorney Lori Fergie called the property manager and third-party vendor on behalf of Mr. Thomas and convinced them to lift the restriction for online payment, given the extenuating circumstances. The property manager also agreed to lift the late fees and retract the notice to vacate. Within the same day, the owner of the property management company visited Mr. Thomas’ home and gave him his personal cell phone number, so that he’d have a direct line for all future inquiries and concerns.
No longer fearing eviction while dealing with another legal concern, Mr. Thomas expressed his gratitude towards LSLA, saying “these types of things tend to add stress to an already stress filled situation. You were most attentive to my needs and spoke to me with dignity and empathy, which is greatly appreciated in a time of duress. You developed a plan of action and implemented it, as well as following it through. Thank you and God bless.”
If a client is already eligible for legal assistance with Lone Star Legal Aid, we are happy to review any other ongoing legal issues and determine if we can assist them with more than one legal concern. Lone Star Legal Aid’s primary goal is to provide legal assistance, advice, and representation to those in need, and we pride ourselves on taking a holistic approach when it is useful and necessary.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of Southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well-being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. Lone Star Legal Aid does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
