COVID-19 Legal Information and Resources

Important Message from Acadiana Legal Service Corporation

While ALSC remains committed to providing high-quality legal aid, we are also concerned about the health and safety of our clients, staff and communities we serve.  Accordingly, we are temporarily modifying how we deliver services to prevent the spread of COVID-19 where possible.

Effective immediately:

• We are available to handle your legal needs.
• To reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, we are limiting access to our offices.
• Access to all offices is by appointment only.  If an appointment is necessary, the person handling your case will schedule it with you.
• The office phone lines are open and we are taking calls, or you can also visit our website at www.la-law.org/get-help/ for resources with legal problems.
• Some staff are working remotely but are available to assist you.
• All outreach and education presentations have been cancelled until further notice.
• If you have NON COVID-19 issues in the areas of Housing, Small Succession, Bankruptcy, Child Custody, Uncontested Divorce or Unemployment Benefits visit www.la-law.org and complete the Legal Aid Module, relative to your issue, at the bottom of the home page.

We thank you for your cooperation during this public health emergency.

Office Phones

• Alexandria Office – 318.443.7281
• Lake Charles Office – 337.439.0377
• Lafayette Office – 337.237.4320
• Monroe Office – 318.699.0889
• Natchitoches Office – 318.352.7220
• Shreveport office – 318.222.7186

Legal Resources

• For questions about COVID-19, call 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.
• Evictions and other Housing Issues during COVID-19
• Nursing Home Residents, Medicaid, and Stimulus Checks: What You Need to Know

• FTC Alerts Consumers About Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Taking Stimulus Checks From Medicaid Patients

• If you suspect a Coronavirus Scam, please report it to the LADOJ Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-351-4889 or fill out a Consumer Dispute Form.
• Visit our website at la-law.org/get-help to find resources and self-help tools.
• Visit la.FreeLegalAnswers.org to get answers to many legal area questions.
• Visit lasc.org/COVID19 for the latest on court information.
• Resources for people who have legal issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other information are available at: https://louisianalawhelp.org
  • Current topics available there include:
    • Court closings
    • Issues with Utilities
    • Information for workers who have been laid off or had their hours reduced because of COVID-19
    • Information for tenants
• If you don’t qualify for free legal assistance and feel you can not afford an attorney, visit the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Modest Means Directory at: www.lsba.org/Public/FindLegalHelp.
• NLADA COVID-19 Updates and Resources
• You can find free online services and do-it-yourself forms at: www.lsba.org/Public/FindLegalHelp
• Most trials and hearings are postponed.  Call the Clerk of Court’s office for updates regarding your trial/hearing.
• Orders of protection from domestic violence are still available.  Contact the Clerk of Court’s office for assistance.
• Court ordered parental visitation has been suspended for foster children residing in a quarantined or isolated home.
• Home mortgage foreclosures and evictions from rental housing have been suspended. Contact your lender to discuss your options.
• HUD suspends all foreclosure and evictions for the next 60 days.
• Utility terminations and disconnects have been suspended.  Call your utility provider to find out more.
• LA Wallet, the state of Louisiana’s official digital driver’s license has been made available to residents free of charge. The all digital identification and driver’s license app will suspend its fee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more at https://www.lawallet.com
• IRS extends tax federal tax filing date from April 15 to July 15, 2020.
• Louisiana extends state federal tax filing date to July 15, 2020.

Social Service Resources

• For questions about COVID-19, call 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.
• Louisiana Statewide Domestic Abuse Assistance Hotline: 1-888-411-1333, or click here  for a list of domestic violence resources throughout the state.
• Struggling to pay rent during the COVID-19 crisis, access this Rent Relief Request Letter Generator. Answer a few questions and get a customized letter asking your landlord to defer your rent payments while we get through this. Spanish Version English Version
• Addressing Tenant Concerns During COVID-19
• What you should know about payday loans and car title loans 
• Dealing with Debt Collectors?  This NACA short video may help you out.  Debt Collection Video
• If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, discover what to do next.
• To apply for Social Security or receive answers to questions visit www.222.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213
• Louisiana has suspended termination of Medicaid recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone terminated after March 9, 2020 is entitled.  This includes terminations that were scheduled but had an effective date after March 18, 2020.
• SNAP COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap-covid19-response-faqs
• Family Opportunity Act Medicaid opens coverage up to children with disabilities in families with a higher income range, allowing families to buy in to the Medicaid Program. https://sspweb.lameds.ldh.la.gov/selfservice/
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, guardians for older adults and adults with disabilities may have questions about fulfilling their duties and staying connected to people they represent. Guardianship experts, including the National Guardianship Association, ABA Commission on Law and Aging, and the National Center for State Courts, have created a FAQ document with answers, actionable tips, and links to key resources.
• Many people are making repairs or updates to their homes during this period.  Be aware of contractor scams during this time.  Click here for a brochure on how to prevent contractor scams or fraud.

Highlights of the CARES Act

The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act was signed by President Trump to help provide financial stability and relief for individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19. While the bill is very broad and addresses a number of areas and industries, and many of the specific details will still need to be analyzed, we believe the following are important to highlight for individuals and their families. CARES Act

Information on the Stimulus Checks from the IRS, https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

Coronavirus stimulus payment scams: What you need to know. 

How to get your COVID-19 economic impact payment if you receive social security.

A break down of the most common questions about the economic impact payments, including how much you’re eligible to receive and when you can expect to receive it. Click Here

I NEED MY MONEY FAST! Economic Stimulus Payments Tips

Business / Employment Information

• Unemployment benefits have been expanded. Apply online at www.LouisianaLawHelp.org or by calling 866.783.5567
• Ligitimate Reasons Not to Return to Work
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Visit lafayette.org/sbaloan for more information.
• Employers temporarily closing or reducing hours of operations due to COVID-19 can contact the LWC to discuss how they can provide assistance and answer questions about unemployment insurance and other programs and resources available.  Email them at EmployerServices@lwc.la.gov with your unemployment insurance questions. Be sure to provide your company’s name, a point of contact, telephone number and email address, as well as specifics on the assistance you are requesting. The Employer Call Center, 225-326-6999, is also available.
• LED’s COVID-19 Resource page connects businesses to local up-to-date resources across each region. For helpful resources in your area, see https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/covid-19-assistance
• COVID-19 Employment Law Round-Up https://www.bswllp.com/covid19-employment-law-roundup
• Department of Labor: Third Round of Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act https://www.bswllp.com/department-of-labor-third-round-of-guidance-on-the-families-first-coronavirus-response-act
• COVID 19 Affects Upon All State and Local Taxes