Virginia Legal Aid Society wants you to be safe as the major storm Florence approaches landfall. Here is some information that might help you, particularly if your home or workplace suffers damage in the storm:
- FEMA can provide assistance for home owners and tenants (money for repairs; up to 18 months of temporary housing).
- FEMA can also provide assistance with Food Stamps (replacement f/s for food lost or stolen food).
- If people lost their job directly because of the hurricane, there is another type of unemployment benefit available through FEMA called DUA.
- Special Loans are available to help replace personal belongings lost in hurricane.
- Tenants have additional rights for repairs, terminating the lease.
- People should NOT take out a car title loan or internet loan to help get by. They should contact our office (1-866-534-5243) for assistance with filling out a FEMA application for benefits if they were impacted by the hurricane and need the type of help outlined above.
We also want you to know that Emergency Legal Services will be available through Virginia Free Legal Answers, a group that’s not affiliated with Virginia Legal Aid Society. The group also will have the Emergency Legal Services Hotline up and running for anyone without internet access or otherwise unable to access VA FLA. These services will be available beginning Monday, when we know more about the impact here in Virginia.
Virginia Free Legal Answers recommends you go first to its web site for services, if you have internet access. If you do not have internet access, try the Emergency Legal Services Hotline. This service is supported by the Virginia State Bar Virginia Lawyer Referral Service staff. The contact information and hours are: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Local Calls: (804) 775-0808. Statewide Toll-Free: (800) 552-7977
