Disaster Legal Assistance Still Being Provided to Hurricane Evacuees
Release Date: November 13, 2006
Release Number: 1603-574
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through an agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association, continues to provide free legal assistance for those people affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These services help provide legal advice to low-income families who are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs.
The attorneys can assist disaster victims with such issues as:
- Advice on landlord/tenant matters
- Replacing wills, drafting powers of attorney and other legal documents lost in the disaster
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors
- Insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc...
All legal services are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday thru Saturday. Evacuees needing legal services can call 1-800-310-7029.
Each call is referred to a Louisiana-licensed attorney who will contact callers within 48 hours to discuss their needs. These volunteer attorneys advise callers regarding legal issues related to the disaster. Many problems can be addressed over the phone. All representation is free of charge. To date, the Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline has received 11,280 calls since its opening on Oct. 14, 2005.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 13-Nov-2006 18:01:34