Legal Services Available for Eligible Hurricane Matthew Survivors
December 6, 2016
Editor's note: The Federal Emergency Management Agency published the following information:
Raleigh, NC - - (December 6, 2016) - - If you were affected by the floods after Hurricane Matthew and have questions about legal issues such as home repair contracts, working with contractors, replacing wills and other legal documents that were lost or severely damaged, you now have access to a toll-free legal aid hotline.
The number to call is 800-662-7407. The hotline is available weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There are some limitations on disaster legal services. For example, assistance is not available for cases that will produce a fee (i.e., those cases where fees are paid as part of the settlement by the court). Such cases are referred to a lawyer referral service. To determine whether an issue qualifies for free legal assistance, survivors may call 800-662-7407.
Disaster Legal Services provides assistance to low-income individuals who, prior to or because of the disaster, have little recourse to legal services as a consequence of the disaster.
When you call the hotline you should identify yourself as a survivor seeking Hurricane Matthew-related legal assistance. Ask for Disaster Legal Services, and say which county you live in. If you qualify for assistance you will be matched with North Carolina lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.
Other examples of legal help available include:
• Assistance with FEMA and other government benefits available
• Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims
• Assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures
• Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
• Counseling on landlord/tenant problems
• Obtaining proof of ownership of a damaged home
The service is a partnership between the North Carolina Bar Association, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and FEMA.
Information source: Federal Emergency Management Agency