Toll Free Number for Disaster Legal Services for Victims in Breathitt, Floyd, Owsley, and Pike Counties

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

TOLL-FREE NUMBER FOR DISASTER LEGAL SERVICES

877-499-7698

For Victims in Breathitt, Floyd, Owsley, and Pike Counties

A toll-free legal aid line is now available for victims of severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, and mudslides in Kentucky, which occurred during the period of May 3-20, 2009. This service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer, is a partnership between the Kentucky Bar Association, the KBA Young Lawyer Section, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the legal aid organizations coordinated by Kentucky’s Volunteer Lawyer Program, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Victims facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call (877-499-7698) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. central time Monday through Friday to request assistance. Messages can be left at any time. Callers should identify that they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance. Victims who qualify for assistance will be assisted by a legal aid organization for their area or matched with Kentucky lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help.

The type of legal assistance available includes:

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

Victims should also register for assistance by contacting FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Victims can also register online and obtain more information at http://www.disasterassistance.gov.

If you have any questions about disaster legal services, please contact the KBA Young Lawyers Section Disaster Legal Relief Committee by e-mail at kydisasterlegalrelief@gmail.com.