1-800-256-1175 Am I Eligible For Free Help? DONATE

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 but to reduce the spread of  COVID-19 we are limiting access to our offices 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.
  • 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

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

 

Legal Resources

  • Eviction Moratorium extended through June 30, 2021. Renters must complete a declaration form and give to your landlord.

  • Louisiana has created a Vaccine Hotline.  Call 1-855-453-0774 to schedule a vaccine or talk to medical experts.
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program.    The State of Louisiana is launching the U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide emergency rental assistance to Louisiana residents who are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Both renters and landlords may apply.  Learn more here.  
  • FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths. In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.  Learn More. 
  • Facing Eviction?  Behind on your rent?  Click here to learn more about the new law passed by Congress this week.
  • For questions about COVID-19, call 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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.
  • 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.
  • 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 American Rescue Plan

 

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the latest legislation passed by Congress aimed at providing economic and other relief from the COVID-19 pandemic that has haunted the country for the last year. The 628-page American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes $1.9 trillion in funding for individuals, businesses, and state and local governments.

  • Additional direct payments (or recovery rebates) of $1,400 — plus $1,400 per dependent (including adult dependents) will be made to eligible individuals. To qualify, individuals must have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $75,000 per year, ($112,500 for heads of households and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly). The payments phase out and are no longer made when AGI exceeds $80,000 for individuals, $160,000 for married joint filers and $120,000 for heads of household.
  • For eligible individuals, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) increases to $3,000 for each child age 6 to 17 and $3,600 per year for children under age 6. To be eligible for the full payment, you must have a modified AGI of under $75,000 for singles, $112,500 for heads of households and $150,000 for joint filers and surviving spouses. The credit phases out at a rate of $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of modified AGI over the applicable threshold.
  • An additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits will be paid through September 6, 2021. In addition, the first $10,200 in unemployment benefits received beginning in 2020 isn’t included in gross income for taxpayers with AGIs under $150,000. (However, for joint filers below the AGI limit, the $10,200 exclusion applies separately to each spouse.)
  • Click here to learn more about the ARPA.

Third Round of Economic Impact Payments Status Available

IRS is issuing the third payments in phases. Find when and how we sent your third Economic Impact Payment with the Get My Payment application. Get My Payment updates once a day, usually overnight. Visit Getmypayment to learn more

Economic Impact Payments, IRS and other resources

SSI, SSDI and Stimulus Checks.  Good news for people in SSI and SSDI programs…3rd stimulus is here.  Learn more. 

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

Business / Employment Information

Back To Top