Resources
Need Hurricane Repairs? Avoid Contractor Fraud
These steps can help you to avoid contractor fraud, scams or receiving bad repair work. Do Your Research Always verify any person or company you're considering for home repairs. Obtain their full name and business address, and request their Louisiana license. Ensure...
How to Dispute Charges on Your New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Bill
If you have an issue with the charges on your New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board (SWB) bill, you have the right to dispute it. How Do I Dispute My Bill? There are five ways to dispute your bill with SWB: HGI (new dispute process) To dispute any billing issue,...
Canceling Sales Contracts: FTC 3 Day Rule
What types of contracts does this apply to? This rule, also known as the “Cooling Off Rule,” applies to sales contracts made at your home, work, or other location convenient to you and the seller. Sometimes, you may feel pressured into entering a sale and then...
How to Speed Up Your Application for Disability, SSI, Retirement, or Survivors Benefits if You are Homeless or At Risk of Becoming Homeless
Disability applications for people who are experiencing homelessness can be “expedited,” or processed more quickly than normal. Applications can also be expedited for other kinds of claimants, like those with terminal illnesses and military service members who became...
Free Cell Phone Assistance for 2024
You may be able to get a free or low cost cell phone if you or someone in your household is part of one or more of the public aid programs listed below. The program covers one phone or service discount per household. This is through the “Lifeline” program. You must be...
Getting and Paying for Food (SNAP or Food Stamps)
Can I apply for Disaster Food Stamps (DSNAP)? No. DSNAP is provided after federal disaster declarations, and there is no current federal disaster declaration. However, in the event of a disaster, go online to check Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
I Applied for Social Security Benefits. Now What?
Social Security will send your case to a state office called Disability Determination Services (DDS), which is a branch of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. DDS will assign your case to an analyst. This analyst will send you forms to complete...
Social Security Denial Letters: What to Do If You’re Facing an Upcoming Appeal Deadline or If You’ve Already Missed It
Most decisions have a 60-day deadline to appeal. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. You should read the letter you received to find out the deadline for your appeal. There are several different kinds of appeals in Social Security cases. If your initial...
Is Social Security Reviewing Your Disability Benefits? Here’s What to Do Next
This is called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Social Security sent your claim to a state office called Disability Determination Services, which is a division of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. They will decide if you are still disabled...
Online Self-Help Tools and Legal Information
Louisiana Law Help
Louisiana Law Help is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Louisiana. This site provides legal education materials and tools that give you basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help you represent yourself in court.
Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator
The Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator can help you get customized legal information, local court forms, referrals to legal aid, and more. Now available for Divorce, Child Custody, Employment Law, and private Landlord-Tenant Law.
Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center
The Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center provides legal resources and critical information for legal aid professionals, pro bono volunteers, and the disaster survivors they assist.