Free Legal Assistance Available for California Fire Survivors Friday, August 10, 2018 Categories: News Releases A legal hotline is now available for people impacted by the Carr Fire in Shasta County (additional counties may be added). Disaster survivors facing legal issues related to the fires and who are unable to afford a lawyer may call the hotline at 800-822-9687. The hotline hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Callers may also leave a message or visit the Carr Fire Disaster Relief Center, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 2685 Hilltop Drive in Redding, CA or Legal Services of Northern California’s office in Redding at 1370 West Street. The type of legal assistance available includes: Replacement of identification documents and other important destroyed legal documents; Assistance with life, medical, and property insurance claims; Help with home repair contracts and contractors; Assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies, and procedures; Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems; Counseling on landlord-tenant problems; and Assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors. The hotline is a partnership between Legal Services of Northern California, the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Legal assistance may not available for fee generating cases. Such matters can be referred for skilled lawyer representation through a State Bar of California certified lawyer referral service in your area. To register with FEMA and apply for assistance, visit the agency's disasters assitance website or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY) seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Applicants should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (i.e. a current telephone number, social security number, and an address to receive mail), insurance coverage, and any other information to help substantiate the loss. Note: if you are eligible for an Individual Assistance grant you are not required to pay back FEMA. There is no income threshold for Individual Assistance grants, but you may be referred to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low interest disaster loan, which must be repaid. The deadline to register is October 3. In addition, there is information available at: State Bar of California Legal Help After a Disaster page – Resources for legal help after a disaster including how to replace documents after a disaster. LawHelpCA.org – This statewide website, hosted by the Legal Aid Association of California, provides information about common legal issues in addition to disaster relief information. It also has an updated directory of pre-screened organizations that offer free or low-cost legal advice and representation. National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center – A collaborative effort of Lone Star Legal Aid, the ABA, the Legal Services Corporation, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, the Texas Legal Services Center, and ProBono Net, Disaster Legal Aid provides disaster legal information to the low and moderate income public. United Policyholders – United Policyholders is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) consumer advocacy group that specializes in helping disaster survivors with insurance claim issues. UP also trains case managers and legal aid lawyers to assist clients with insurance and disaster recovery matters. ### The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system. Previous Article Next Article