If you were affected during the Aug. 28-30, 2023, storms and have questions about legal issues such as repair contracts, working with contractors, replacing wills and other legal documents, you might be eligible to get free legal counseling from a group of West Virginia lawyers who have volunteered limited legal help.
Disaster Legal Services provides legal assistance to low-income individuals in Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison and Kanawha counties who, prior to or because of the disaster, have little recourse to legal services as a consequence of a major disaster.
A partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and Legal Aid of West Virginia provides eligible callers access to a legal hotline, 866-255-4370.
Survivors can call the hotline during the following times:
- Monday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Tuesday (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
- Wednesday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
- Friday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Survivors can also apply online at any time at: https://legalaidwv.org/get-help/apply-for-help/
Local legal aid providers might help you with:
- Assistance with FEMA and other government benefits available
- Assistance with life, medical, and property insurance claims
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors
- Replacement of wills and other important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster
- Consumer protection issues such as price-gouging and avoiding contractor scams in the rebuilding process
- Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems
- Counseling on landlord-tenant problems
There are some limitations on disaster legal services. For instance, if a case might produce a fee, or where attorneys are paid as part of a court settlement, you’ll be referred to a local lawyer.