Disaster Legal Services Program

About the Program

Through the Disaster Legal Services Program, the ABA Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge. 

Since September 2007 the ABA YLD has responded to 178 declared disasters in 44 states and 4 U.S. territories. (Last updated 8/2018)

If you have questions regarding the program please contact Alia Graham, Program Specialist or Daniel Wade, 2018 – 2019 Disaster Legal Services Director.

DLS Articles

Hurricane Recovery Resources

YLD Contact: Alia Graham

Current Pro Bono Hotlines

Northern Mariana Islands hotline

1-670-234-6243

• FEMA Northern Mariana Islands Super Typhoon Yutu
• FEMA Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon Mangkhut
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release: Free Legal Assistance Available for Typohoon Manghut & Super Typhoon Yutu Survivors
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

Georgia hotline - Georgia Hurricane Michael

1-866-584-8027

• FEMA Georgia Hurricane Michael
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release: Free legal Assistance Available for Georgia Disaster Victims
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

Florida hotline - Florida Hurricane Michael

1-866-550-2929

• FEMA Florida Hurricane Michael
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release: Free Legal Assistance Available for Florida Hurricane Michael Survivors
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

South Carolina hotline - South Carolina Hurricane Florence

1-877-797-2227 ext. 120

• FEMA South Carolina Hurricane Florence
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release: Free legal assistance available for South Carolina hurricane victims
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

North Carolina hotline - North Carolina Hurricane Florence

1-833-242-3549

• FEMA North Carolina Hurricane Florence
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release: Free Legal Assistance Available for North Carolina Survivors of Hurricane Florence
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

California hotline - California Wildfires And High Winds

1-800-822-9687 (Shasta County)
1-877-529-7700 for (Lake County)

• FEMA California Wildfires And High Winds
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release:  Free Legal Assistance Available for California Fire Survivors
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

Texas hotline - Texas Severe Storms And Flooding

1-866 757-1570

• FEMA Texas Severe Storms And Flooding
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
• Press Release:  Free legal assistance available for disaster survivors in Cameron and Hidalgo counties
• National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• DisasterAssistance.gov

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters.

Program Partners

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• DisasterAssistance.gov
• Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center
• American Red Cross
• Legal Services Corporation
• National Volunteers Organization Active in Disaster

Survivors

• Active Disaster Legal Services Hotlines
  
• National Disaster Legal Aid - Resources for Survivors
• Governmental and Private Groups
  
• New Website Helps Superstorm Sandy Victims Appeal FEMA Denials
  (This site is currently set up to serve the current Superstorm Sandy survivors, but will be able to do FEMA appeals for any declared disaster.)
  
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
  

Volunteers

• District Representatives Manual
• Submit your "End of Disaster Report"
• National Disaster Legal Aid – Resources for Legal Aid Professionals
• Life Cycle of an ABA YLD / FEMA Hotline
• 2017 - 2018 FEMA Training Presentation
• Frequently Asked Questions

About the Team

Daniel Wade
Coordinator
Bio (PDF)

Andrew VanSingel
Special Advisor
Bio (PDF)

Linda Anderson
Vice-Coordinator
Bio (PDF)

Courtney Emerson
Vice-Coordinator
Bio (PDF)

Jason T. Auer
Member
Bio (PDF)

Dan Vernoff
Member
Bio (PDF)

Melissa Luckman
Member
Bio (PDF)

Elizabeth "Beth" Overmoe
Member
Bio (PDF)

Diana-Marie Laventure
Member
Bio (PDF)

Casey DeReus
Member
Bio (PDF)