Disaster-Related Needs

Carolyn: Disaster Survivor Saves Home, Protects Community

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:50:48 +0000

Carolyn: Disaster Survivor Saves Home, Protects Community sierra-chacona… Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:50

Carolyn Rivera has lived in her home for 45 years. It’s where she raised her children. When an improper lien put her home at risk, ��è��Ƶ-funded legal services stepped in to help.

Meet Carolyn

After Hurricane Harvey, Carolyn set up a disaster relief hub for her neighborhood, stocking supplies for anyone who needs them following a natural disaster. When much of the state of Texas froze in early 2021, Carolyn’s own pipes froze. Her plumber sent a crew to her home, but when they left, Carolyn still could get no running water. That didn’t stop the plumber from trying to collect payment from Carolyn. She received a notice that a lien had been placed on her home -- an attempt from the plumber to force her to pay. Carolyn reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid for help. Her attorney was able to get the lien removed, and Carolyn remains in her home to this day, helping her neighbors when they need a hand.

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In the aftermath of natural disasters, legal services are essential.

From replacing damaged or lost documents, to filing insurance claims, to protecting against contractor scams, every $1 invested in disaster civil legal services delivers at least $5 in benefits to individuals and communities.

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Learn About Texas

Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of Texas.

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Learn about ��è��Ƶ grantee, Lonestar Legal Aid.

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Disaster-Related Needs

Dave: Farmer Saves Livelihood with Legal Help

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:57:45 +0000

Dave: Farmer Saves Livelihood with Legal Help sierra-chacona… Wed, 04/02/2025 - 11:57

A farmer in North Carolina didn’t know how his family would survive, after a tropical storm devastated his farm. ��è��Ƶ-funded legal aid helped him overturn a denied FEMA application and save his family’s livelihood.

Meet Dave

After Tropical Storm Helene devastated his farm, farmer Dave Roland lost his fall crop, his roadside stand, and most of his essential farming tools and equipment. The farm was his family’s sole source of income, and he didn’t know how they would survive. Dave attended a pop-up Disaster Relief Center. There, he met a legal aid attorney who helped him prepare an affidavit on the spot. Dave left with the paperwork he needed to get his farm back to working order, with a renewed sense of hope, and with an eagerness to share what he had learned with others.

So far in 2025, disasters have caused $182.7 billion in damages.

Civil legal challenges can haunt disaster survivors for years as they face complex bureaucratic systems while struggling to rebuild their lives. ��è��Ƶ-funded legal aid support low-income business owners with disaster preparedness and legal expertise during recovery.

Learn More About Disaster Legal Services

Learn About North Carolina

Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of North Carolina.

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Learn About Legal Aid of North Carolina

Learn about ��è��Ƶ grantee, Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC).

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Disaster-Related Needs

Rural

North Carolina

Julie: Rebuilding After Hurricane Harvey

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:16:16 +0000

Julie: Rebuilding After Hurricane Harvey sierra-chacona… Mon, 03/31/2025 - 16:16

After Hurricane Harvey destroyed her home in 2017, Julie faced numerous legal and administrative hurdles. With TRLA’s help, her application for disaster recovery was approved in 2022, and by 2023, construction on her new home began, providing her with stable housing after years of struggle.

Meet Julie

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated Julie’s home in Victoria, Texas, leaving her uncertain about her future. Struggling to navigate the recovery process, Julie encountered several legal issues, including clearing title to her property and getting her application for disaster assistance approved. Uncertain how to move forward, she reached out to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for help. Over the next four years, TRLA worked tirelessly on her behalf, overcoming numerous administrative challenges with agencies like the Texas General Land Office. In December 2022, five years after the storm that took her home, Julie's application was approved, and by 2023, construction on her new home began on the same land her family had owned since 1955, marking a return to stability after years of hardship.

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Every $1 invested in disaster civil legal aid delivers at least $5 in benefits to the community.

Civil legal challenges can haunt disaster survivors for years as they face contractor scams and complex legal systems while struggling to rebuild their homes. ��è��Ƶ-funded legal aid supports low-income Americans with disaster preparedness and legal expertise during recovery.

Learn More About Disaster Legal Services

Learn About Texas

Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of Texas.

Learn About Texas

Learn About Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Learn about ��è��Ƶ grantee, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA).

Learn About TRLA

Disaster-Related Needs

Texas

Coleen: Widow Recovers Life’s Savings from Scammer

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:04:26 +0000

Coleen: Widow Recovers Life’s Savings from Scammer sierra-chacona… Thu, 03/20/2025 - 15:04

After Hurricane Harvey destroyed her home in 2017, a senior in Texas faced numerous challenges in rebuilding. With the help of ��è��Ƶ-funded legal aid, she was able to get her application for disaster relief approved and begin building her new home, providing her with stable housing for the first time in years.

Meet Coleen

Coleen, a widow, hired a roofing company to perform repairs on her home following a hurricane. The company took her $10,300 deposit but did not complete the work as promised. After several delays, Coleen contacted Florida Rural Legal Services, which helped her get a partial refund from the company. Coleen's story emphasizes the importance of seeking help from legal aid organizations that can assist low-income individuals when they encounter issues with unethical companies, especially those who take advantage of people when disaster strikes.

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So far in 2025, disasters have caused $182.7 billion in damages.

Civil legal challenges can haunt disaster survivors for years as they face contractor scams while struggling to rebuild their homes. ��è��Ƶ grantee programs support low-income Americans with disaster preparedness and legal expertise during recovery.  

Learn More About Disaster Legal Services

Learn About Florida

Explore the civil legal needs impacting the state of Florida.

Learn About Florida

Learn about Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS)

Learn about the ��è��Ƶ Grantee, Florida Rural Legal Services.

Learn About FRLS

Disaster-Related Needs Consumer Issues Elder Law

Florida