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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.

  • All office lobbies are open. Masks are required by both visitors and staff at all times.
  • We are only able to handle a certain number of new cases each day, so if you are not already a client of ours with an open case please call to apply for our services instead of driving to our nearest office.
  • 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.
  • The Lake Charles Office is temporarily closed due to damages caused by the Mid-May flooding.  The phone lines are open and we are taking calls.
  • 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
  • Franklin Office – 337.346.5702
  • 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

  • Louisiana Vaccine Hotline – Call 1-855-453-0774  (TTY 888-720-7489) to schedule a vaccine or talk to medical experts.  Help is available in English, Spanish and many other languages.
  • Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL):  1-888-577-1199
  • Louisiana COVID-19 Vaccination Locations.
  • If you are homebound and or cannot find transportation to receive a COVID vaccination, call 855-453-0774 for assistance. 
  • For questions about COVID-19, call 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211.

Legal Resources

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the CDC eviction order, but tenants still have certain legal rights.

    • The CDC order stopping evictions until October 3, 2021, is no longer valid; however, you may have a defense to an eviction based on your payment of rent, your withholding of rent if you had necessary repairs made and told your landlord about it in writing, problems with your notice to vacate, your landlord’s filing the eviction too early or other defenses that you can use depending on problems with the court papers.

    • Contact us, if you have been served an eviction order to see if you qualify for free legal assistance, by calling 800-237-8839.

 How to Apply for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program

 

  • 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

  • Louisiana Statewide Domestic Abuse Assistance Hotline: 1-888-411-1333, or click here  for a list of domestic violence resources throughout the state.
  • 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. 
  • 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.

Business / Employment Information

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