News

FEMA, law groups partner to offer free legal aid

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 26, 2024

Free disaster-related legal counseling, assistance and referrals are available for eligible North Carolina homeowners and renters in disaster-designated counties as they recover from Hurricane Helene. People do not need to apply for FEMA assistance to receive Disaster Legal Services.

Low-income survivors can use this service to receive confidential, free legal assistance due to the disasters, but do not have the means to secure adequate legal services. Typical services include assistance with:
▪ Insurance policies and claims.
▪ Foreclosure and mortgage issues.
▪ Home repair contracts and contractors.

▪ Landlord-tenant disputes.
▪ Document replacement.
▪ Government benefits information.
▪ FEMA appeals.
▪ Fraud.

Disaster Legal Services attorneys are not FEMA employees. They are volunteers who provide survivors with legal counseling, advice, and, when appropriate, legal representation in non-fee-generating cases that are not against the Federal Government. The service is a partnership of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Foundation, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and FEMA.
For legal assistance, call 1-866-219-5262 and dial 2657. The toll-free hotline is available 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Outside of regular hours, survivors may leave a voicemail. More information about legal assistance for North Carolina residents is available online at legalaidnc.org/disaster. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4827.