A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for victims of the recent storms and flooding in Louisiana. The service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer, is a partnership between the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Civil Justice Center, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Low-income survivors facing legal issues may call 1-800-310-7029, the assistance hotline activated by Louisiana Civil Justice Center. Callers should identify that they are seeking storm-related legal assistance, and should identify the parish in which they are located. Survivors who qualify for assistance will be matched with Louisiana lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.

Examples of legal assistance available include:

•Assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors

•Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims

•Help with home repair contracts and contractors

•Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster

•Assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures

•Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems

•Counseling on landlord/tenant problems