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Human Trafficking Bus Tour Recap

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 […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Celebrates National Consumer Protection Week 2023

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 […]

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Rent and Utility Assistance Available through Texas Rent Relief March 14-28, 2023

UPDATE 📢 The rental assistance events planned for this Saturday have been cancelled as the Texas Rent Relief program is closing its application portal today, Thursday, March 16th, at 11:59 PM. Again, today is the last day for tenants to apply for rent and utility assistance.   Houston, TX – The Texas Rent Relief Program will be accepting new applications.  […]

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The Supreme Court of Texas’ Issues Additional Emergency Order Regarding COVID-19

March 1, 2023 For Immediate Release Houston, TX – The Supreme Court of Texas issued an additional Emergency Order, the fourteenth such order related to sealing and making eviction court records confidential. Eviction record sealing is key to improving housing security for millions of individuals and families. Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) has been instrumental in getting these cases sealed. […]

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The End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage: Terminations and Re-Enrollment Begin April 1, 2023

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, […]

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February 20 is World Day of Social Justice

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 […]

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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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Protecting Older Adults from Identity Theft During Tax Season

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 […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Set to Present in Human Trafficking Awareness Bus Tour

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, […]

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Beamer Place Outreach Recap

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, […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid’s Eviction Right to Counsel Initiative will spread the love on Valentine’s Day at Harris County JP – 5, 1

Houston, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid’s Eviction Right to Counsel Initiative will spread the love on Valentine’s Day at Harris County Justice of the Peace – Precinct 5, Place 1.  Currently, there are over 500 eviction cases set for trial in Harris County JP 5-1. Attorneys in our Eviction Right to Counsel Initiative will be on site all day […]

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Sexual Assault and Child Abuse – Lone Star Legal Aid Helps Mother Protect Three Children from Sexual Assault

Mariah married her military husband Sean and raised two children together, and one from Sean’s previous relationship beginning when the child was two years-old. This child is now a teenager, and recently, he came out as transgender and said he wanted to go by Calvin. Mariah was working hard to provide Calvin with all the support he needed while transitioning. […]

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$26.2 Million Program to Fund Childcare for Low-Income Families in Harris County

Since the early days of the pandemic, childcare has been a prominent issue for both families and the industry. In Texas, 25% of all childcare centers closed in 2020, and millions of families have adjusted to this change through efforts such as homeschooling, private care, and online education. This Tuesday, the Harris County Commissioners Court has voted on a $26.2 […]

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Free Legal Assistance Available for Low-Income Individuals Affected by Severe Weather in Southeast Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2023 Contact: Lowell Brown | Communications Director, State Bar of Texas | (512) 427-1713 | LBrown@texasbar.com  Contact: Clarissa Ayala | Communications Director, Lone Star Legal Aid | (832) 627-8404 | Cayala@lonestarlegal.org  Free legal resources are available to low-income individuals affected by the January 24, 2023, tornado and torrential rain in the Southeast Houston, Pasadena, and Deer Park areas.  Disaster […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Assisted Tornado Survivors at Pasadena Convention Center

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 […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Offers Free Legal Help to Survivors of Pasadena/Deer Park Tornado

Pasadena, Texas – Lone Star Legal Aid is available to low-income individuals who suffered wind damage and other conditions caused by the powerful cold front that caused tornadoes and torrential rain in the Southeast Houston, Pasadena, and Deer Park areas on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. An EF3 tornado tore through Southeast Houston and the surrounding area earlier this week, causing […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Attends LSC’s 2023 Innovations in Technology Conference

The Innovations in Technology Conference grew out of LSC’s Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) Program, which seeks to expand access to justice by promoting technological innovations in legal services delivery and pro se assistance. The conference brings together technologists, legal aid advocates, court personnel, law school professors, pro bono coordinators, and other professionals to showcase technology projects and tools being implemented across […]

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Topic
News

Lawsuit Challenges Approval of Sea Port Oil Terminal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 19, 2023 Contact: Courtney Naquin, Sierra Club, (512) 661-1285, courtney.naquin@sierraclub.org, Devorah Ancel, Sierra Club, (415) 845-7847, devorah.ancel@sierraclub.org Lauren Parker, Center for Biological Diversity, (202) 868-1008, lparker@biologicaldiversity.org Joanie Steinhaus, Turtle Island Restoration Network, (409) 795-8426, joanie@tirn.net Dustin Renaud, Earthjustice, (228) 209-2194, drenaud@earthjustice.org Clarissa Ayala, Lone Star Legal Aid, (832)627-8404, cayala@lonestarlegal.org Massive Gulf Coast Deepwater Oil Export Terminal […]

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Source: https://thefacts.com/news/department-of-transportation-marks-the-spot-oil-project-set-for-gulf-exports-clears-federal-hurdle/article_20dd19dd-91a5-59fc-9584-8dbf22d00459.html

COVID-19 SNAP Benefits End in February 2023

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 […]

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