[PAA-Discuss] Fwd: legal help for Katrina survivors

[S Gonzales]

Good info. 
later,

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nathalie Paravicini

> Subject: [houston] legal help for Katrina survivors
> 
> Please let me know if I ever post something to the
> wrong list.  I think 
> this is the list that was putting together a list of
> resources for 
> Katrina survivors.
> I think the information below is probably very
> important;
> 
> Legal Help for Hurricane Katrina and Rita Victims
> 
> Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) has received
> temporary funding to 
> provide legal assistance to persons displaced by
> Hurricane Katrina.   
> Because many of the evacuees have problems based in
> Louisiana, we 
> recruited a New Orleans Legal Aid attorney who is
> familiar with 
> Louisiana law, and with the human services delivery
> programs in that state.
> 
> As a first priority, our new attorney, Peggy Fuller,
> will provide legal 
> back-up to Benefits Counselors and to Texas pro bono
> attorneys handling 
> issues facing evacuees.  Their legal problems may
> include:
> 
> .      Consumer law and bankruptcy (many persons are
> living on credit 
> cards and continue to have mortgage and lease
> obligations on properties 
> that have been destroyed or severely damaged)
> 
> .      Family and Elderlaw matters (Many families
> have been split up.  
> Grandparents are assuming temporary responsibility
> for grandchildren, 
> including needing authorizations for medical care
> and school enrollment)
> 
> .      Public Benefits (income and asset
> requirements are different).  
> Texas has adopted simplified approval processes, but
> issues may arise 
> concerning residency and length of stay.
> 
> .      Insurance claims denials
> .      Access to health services.  Many people are
> enrolled in managed 
> care programs that do not have participating doctors
> in Texas.
> 
> .      Utility problems (TLSC has sought and
> received deposit waiver 
> policies from the PUC and Railroad Commission for
> evacuees.  However, 
> many seniors will be threatened with back-bills for
> service at Louisiana 
> addresses, and others may be asked to pay for
> restored service for their 
> vacant dwellings).
> 
> Many of these problems are expected to last months
> as most evacuees are 
> in temporary housing and many plan to permanently
> relocate to Texas.  We 
> request that service requests be initiated by Area
> Agency staff by 
> contacting Peggy Fuller directly at 512 477-6000 or
> by email: 
> pfuller at tlsc.org
> 
> Depending on the issue, she may provide brief
> service through the Area 
> Agency staff or may follow up directly with the
> affected client.  In 
> some cases, she will make referrals to a special
> panel of pro bono 
> lawyers.   She and other Legal Hotline staff will
> also assist in helping 
> clients affected by Hurricane Rita.
> 
> We are pleased to be able to provide this emergency
> assistance and 
> encourage all Area Agency staff to contact us with
> questions, or related 
> client problems.  Also, our thoughts and prayers are
> with all AAA staff 
> that have been impacted by Hurricane Rita.
> 
> Randy Chapman
> Executive Director
> Texas Legal Services Center
> 
> 
> 



		
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