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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.
  • 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.
  • 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 COVID-19 Support Hotline – Call 1-855-453-0774  (TTY 888-720-7489) to ask questions about or schedule a vaccine, talk to medical experts, find a vaccine provider and more.  Help is available in English, Spanish and many other languages.
  • Free At-Home Covid Tests.  Every home in the U.S. can order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.  There is no shipping costs and you do not need to enter a credit card number.  Click here to register for 4-free at-home tests.
  • 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    • The CDC order stopping evictions is no longer valid; however, you may have a defense to an eviction based on your payment of rent, your withholding of rent if you had necessary repairs made and told your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.

State Resources

 

Keep your SNAP and Medicaid Benefits:

When the federal Public Health Emergency ends, possibly as early as July, Louisiana Medicaid will have to begin re-checking eligibility for all of the 1.9 million Louisianans enrolled in the program.  If you have moved or changed phone numbers since March 2020, click here to learn what you need to do.

Social Security Administration to Resume In-Person Services at Local Social Security Offices on April 7, 2022. Click here to learn more.

 

Louisiana Homeownership Assistance Program 

  • The program is available statewide to homeowners experiencing financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, and earning less than 150 percent of the area median income or 100 percent of the national median income, whichever is greater, based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development income data.

  • Eligible homeowners include those who meet the following criteria:

    –       Own and occupy a home in Louisiana as their primary residence

    –       Meet income qualifications

    –       Experienced a financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

    The state will work closely with lenders and mortgage providers to ensure the availability of funds is communicated to homeowners who would benefit from the program.

    To learn more about the program or to apply, visit haf.lacovidhousing.com or call 833-88-LAHAF.

 

Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program

    • Residents of Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish MUST apply directly to the program in your parish.
    • Lafayette Parish –  apply online at SMILE Community Action Agency or call 337-234-3272; and Catholic Charities of Acadiana or call 337-235-4972.
    • Caddo Parish—apply online at Caddo Parish ERAP  or call 318-239-7772.
    • Calcasieu Parish—call 337-721-4033, Monday—Thursday at 7am. Calls are limited to 10 per day.
    • Renters outside of those parishes above can apply for assistance at www.lastaterent.com or by calling 1-877-459-6555, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.  
    •  (The above information may change, so please check with the programs directly.

 

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 for deaths that occurred between January 1, 2020 and May 16, 2020 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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