Spotlight on Disaster Recovery

LSC is awarding $19.8 million to 14 legal services organizations to support the delivery of legal services to low-income people impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods and severe storms that occurred in 2022. Grant recipients will use this funding to increase the range and quality of legal services available to survivors. Many of the funded projects are leveraging partnerships and collaborations to spread knowledge about best practices, increase efficiency and share resources.

About Disaster Recovery and Legal Aid

Even with legal aid’s impact in the aftermath of disaster, there is a significant gap in the disaster-response landscape because of the lack of a coordinated effort to deal with the legal needs of disaster survivors. LSC helps aid in this gap through their Disaster Relief Grants Program. Most disaster-response organizations are unaware of both the legal rights and issues faced by disaster survivors and the particular needs of low-income communities. Legal aid lawyers are deeply networked in low-income communities and have experience creating access for people who face barriers to services and information.

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“Disaster response involves so much more than physical repairs, as millions of Americans find out each year when their home or family is impacted by one of these devastating events... Legal aid providers are integral in helping low-income families access vital services and resources that set them on the path to recovery.”

Ronald Flagg

LSC President

Grantee Client Stories

Legal Services of New Jersey

After a hurricane destroys her home, a single mother of three children is left homeless. Cannitta gets her children back after they are taken by social services.

Watch Cannitta's Story

Grantee Client Stories

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Legal Aid volunteer and staff attorneys assist Emily, who was displaced after hurricane Florence.

Watch Emily's Story

Grantee Client Stories

Legal Services of New Jersey

Post Hurricane Sandy, Paul was facing foreclosure after paying for home repairs and rent on temporary accommodations.

Watch Paul's Story

Disaster Task Force Report

This Report organizes its recommendations by the committee structure the 60-member Task Force established to conduct its work: (1) Relationship-Building and Integration of Legal Services into the Nation’s Emergency Management Infrastructure; (2) Training Pro Bono Lawyers, Other Volunteers, and Legal Services Providers; (3) Continuity of Operations Planning for Legal Services Providers and the Courts; and (4) Preparing Individuals, Families, and Communities for a Disaster.

National Disasters Fact Sheet

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, legal services providers are a critical component of comprehensive disaster relief. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has expertise in working with and supporting a network of national and local partners to help LSC-funded legal aid programs serve low-income clients when disasters or emergencies occur.

Talk Justice, an LSC Podcast

Episode 66: Disaster Preparedness and the Legal Needs of Survivors 

Experts discuss disaster preparedness and the role of civil legal aid in recovery on LSC’s “Talk Justice” podcast.

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Talk Justice, an LSC Podcast

Episode 40: Legal Services for Climate Emergencies

Legal experts discuss the access-to-justice implications of the increasing number of climate emergencies in the U.S. and the role attorneys play.

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Talk Justice, an LSC Podcast

Episode 24: How the pandemic and natural disasters impact domestic violence

Experts discuss how the pandemic and natural disasters affect domestic violence survivors on the latest episode of Talk Justice. Their conversation highlights how the legal system is responding to the increased threat.

About this episode

Disaster Preparedness Resources

Explore the following Disaster Preparedness Resources.

Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center

Free Maui Wildfire Legal Hotline

The Disaster Legal Hotline is a FREE legal hotline to provide legal assistance to the residents of Maui and the Big Island and any others adversely affected by the wildfires. Volunteer attorneys will be available to answer questions regarding document replacement, insurance claims process, landlord-tenant matters and other issues. People can call toll free 888-533-2773 to speak to a volunteer attorney.

Disaster Preparedness Checklist - Puerto Rico Legal Services

Explore Puerto Rico Legal Services checklist for disaster preparedness, touching on homeowner, tenants, family, and disability issues. (In English and Spanish)

Know Your Rights After a Disaster - Lone Star Legal Aid

Texas Lone Star Legal Aid offers guidance on legal rights after a disaster. Managing Attorney Amanda Bosley and Equal Justice Works Fellow Chase Porter are joined by Jennifer Wandrey of AARP to discuss topics including landlord/tenant, avoiding fraud, and FEMA and insurance basics.

Disaster Grant Disasters