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April 21-27, 2024 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – How Would You Help? 

Every year in April, the Office for Victims of Crime leads communities and organizations like Lone Star Legal Aid in the annual observance of National Crime Victims’ Right’s Week (NCVRW). This year’s theme is How Would You Help?  The week-long campaign promotes victim’s rights and those who advocate on their behalf. Raising awareness on crime victims’ rights helps victims rebuild […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Empowers Texans with Updated Pollution Reporting Tool: Easy Reporting Enabled Through Tech for Environmental Justice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Earth Day – Tuesday, April 16, 2024 Houston, TX – The Equitable Development Initiative’s Environmental Justice Team at Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is proud to unveil their newly updated Community Pollution Reporting Tool, which enables Texans in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas to easily report any form of pollution to […]

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Low-income Texas Moms are Now Eligible to Receive 12 Months of Medicaid: Effective March 2024

UPDATE: This change went into effect March 1, 2024. Low-income mothers in Texas will now receive Medicaid coverage for a year after giving birth. This approval, granted by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, marks a year-long initiative that encompasses half of all births in the state. In Texas, Medicaid enrollment grew steadily throughout the pandemic, increasing from about […]

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New Social Security Policies in Effect as of March 25, 2024 – What You Need to Know

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides beneficiaries to customers that are retired workers, disabled workers, as well as survivors of a passed loved one. Sometimes the SSA experiences overpayment issues which can cause distress on its customers. Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley announced he is taking four vital steps to immediately address overpayment issues. Customers whose benefits are withdrawn can […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Helps 20-year-old Reinstate Disability Income Benefits He Had Relied On For Sixteen Years Before Being Cut Off

Morgan is a 20-year-old diagnosed with ADHD, Autistic Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, depression, and seizures. He was employed at Walmart, Sears, and Home Depot as a maintenance man, placing work orders, stocking, and unloading furniture. He failed to meet production demands which caused him stress and anxiety and eventually lost focus of his work tasks. He was later fired for poor […]

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Campus Safety: Federal Requirements, Navigating College Resources, and a Survivor’s Journey to Advocacy

Becky’s Story In the national discussion centered around campus safety, one name has remained hidden: Becky Stevenson. Her violent assault preceded those revealed by the 2016 university scandal that made national headlines. When media inquiries came in, it was unsafe to use her real name, so she advocated for others using the alias, Jane Doe. The now 28-year-old Lone Star […]

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March 3-9 is National Consumer Protection Week 

National Consumer Protection Week is the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) week-long campaign aimed at educating consumers about their rights to help them make well-informed decisions about money.  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 maximize your security online. National […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Receives Grant from Federal Home Loan Bank Dallas to Address Heirs’ Property Issues in Harris County

Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to receive a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank Dallas aimed at supporting organizations that address heirs’ property issues. LSLA will provide legal services to low-income individuals and families to establish heirship and clear property titles to help build generational wealth, to obtain tax deferrals/exemptions that help preserve homeownership and avoid foreclosure, to […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Fights for Client with Multiple Disabilities Who Lost Medicaid Benefits Despite Submitting Recertification Packet

Mark is a minor facing various disabilities and health challenges. His mom, Laura, found out about the Medicaid denial when she tried to take him to the doctor. Laura turned to Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) to appeal the denial and address the mistakes made by Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) in her son’s case. She shared that because […]

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Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month – “Love Like That”

Each February, young adults, their loved ones and domestic violence advocates nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). The purpose of this campaign is to promote education about dating abuse before it starts. Dating violence is more common than people think, especially among teens and young adults. 1 in 3 teenagers will experience […]

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Low-income Texas Moms are Now Eligible to Receive 12 Months of Medicaid

As of March 1, 2024, low-income mothers in Texas will receive Medicaid coverage for a year after giving birth. This approval, granted by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, marks a year-long initiative that encompasses half of all births in the state. In Texas, Medicaid enrollment grew steadily throughout the pandemic, increasing from about 4 million people in early […]

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Earned Income Tax Awareness FAQs with Karyna Lopez, Litigation Director 

UPDATE: CHECK OUT OUR LITC SERVICE PAGE FOR A LIST OF NEW TAXPAYER RESOURCES In these FAQs, we explore the ins and outs of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with Karyna Lopez, Litigation Director, shedding light on eligibility criteria, recent regulatory changes, required documentation, and more. How can I determine if I qualify for the EITC? If you have […]

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Legal Services Corporation to Host Forum on Increasing Access to Justice and Pro Bono Awards Luncheon

Houston, TX – January 18, 2024 – Advocates, attorneys, and civic and nonprofit leaders will gather at a forum on January 22, 2024, hosted by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Houston, Texas, to discuss the ongoing rise in reported incidences of domestic violence. According to the National Coalition on Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid Awarded Grant from Texas Access to Justice Foundation to Enhance Children’s Health and Security

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to receive a grant from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation aimed at advancing children’s well-being in regions across Texas. LSLA will offer education services, ensuring children have the support they need to thrive academically. A second initiative will expand LSLA’s Medical Legal Partnerships […]

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Community Victory: Waste Management Withdraws Landfill Expansion Permit Application in Carverdale Area

Houston, TX, January 12, 2024 – In a monumental win for the Carverdale community, Applicant USA Waste of Texas Landfills, Inc., affiliated with Waste Management, has officially withdrawn its application for a permit to expand the “Hawthorn Park” landfill on Tanner Road in the Carverdale area of Houston, Texas. This decision from Waste Management to withdraw from an ongoing contested […]

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Lone Star Legal Aid’s Elizabeth Green Reverses Medicare Denial for a Young Client with Rare Brain Cancer

Paul was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and developed eye problems because of it. He is a minor and has been a Medicaid recipient for the last five years which has helped treat his eye condition. United Health Care, a Managed Care Organization (MCO), provided Paul with benefits throughout that time, until suddenly Paul was denied an […]

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December 10, 2023 is Human Rights Day: Lone Star Legal Aid Advocates for the Civil Legal Rights of Millions of Texans

The 75th anniversary of Human Rights Day will be recognized on December 10, 2023. This day is focused on a year-long initiative that empowers progress and engagement. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a landmark document available in more than 500 languages and cherishes the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, […]

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