2008-09-12 19:25:01 -

- Recognizing the emergency legal problems that victims of Hurricane Ike will face, the Texas Legal Services Center has reactivated a legal hotline to help Texans with legal problems associated with the hurricanes and tornados. Legal assistance will be available for low-income persons with disaster-related legal problems in a variety of areas:

-- Problems obtaining FEMA and other disaster

related public benefits such as food stamps, cash assistance payments and unemployment benefits.

-- Consumer issues such as property, auto and life insurance claims and consumer price gouging.

-- Shelter issues including rent and lease liability and repair obligations for damaged housing.

"Unfortunately, Texas Legal Services Center has gained a lot of experience in recent years helping victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita deal with the legal problems that inevitably crop up in the aftermath of natural disasters," said Randall Chapman, Executive Director. To get information quickly, Texans should visit the statewide Legal Aid website, www.TexasLawHelp.org.

Chapman stated, "Over the last three years Legal Aid has assembled critical information to inform the public about their legal rights and about disaster assistance programs. People who lack electricity, or who do not own computers, can access this disaster information at any public library."

Chapman added, "Resolving some legal problems related to Hurricane Ike will require individual one-on-one help from a Legal Aid attorney. Low-income Texans are encouraged to either contact Lone Star Legal Aid or the Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline operated by Texas Legal Services Center. The Hotline may be reached at 1-800-622-2520.

Persons needing direct aid should first seek help by dialing 2-1-1. Legal help through the Disaster Legal Hotline is intended for persons who are unable to get help or who are improperly denied services.

About Texas Legal Services Center: Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) was established in 1977 to support Legal Aid programs throughout Texas. TLSC's attorneys represent low-income families and seniors in matters of statewide importance. TLSC also operates the Legal Hotline for Texans, the Texas Health Law Hotline, and provides telephone legal assistance for victims of violent crime. TLSC's Disaster Legal Assistance Project is supported by grants from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.

Texas Legal Services Center
Randall Chapman or Carole W. Thorp, 512-477-6000