YOUNG LAWYERS PROVIDE FREE LEGAL HELP FOR HURRICANE SURVIVORS

NEPTUNE, N.J. – A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreement with the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association (ABA) provides free legal assistance to qualified survivors of disasters like Hurricane Irene. 

This assistance helps survivors navigate issues like insurance claims, landlord/tenant concerns, aid with repair contracts and replacement of wills and other important legal document destroyed in the disaster.  This legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce a fee because these attorneys work without payment.  Cases that may generate a fee are turned over to the local lawyer referral service.

The free legal assistance is provided for individuals who, prior to or because of Hurricane Irene, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their needs.  New Jersey residents who cannot afford an attorney can call the legal-aid helpline at 888-541-1900 to leave a message requesting free legal assistance related to Hurricane Irene.

The helpline is part of a long-standing agreement between FEMA and the ABA.  Storm survivors who qualify for assistance will be matched with New Jersey attorneys who have volunteered to provide free legal assistance. 

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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