Disaster Legal Services
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) supports the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) Mission Area of Recovery and the specific capability targets of economic recovery and health and social services. The objective and goal of DLS is to provide legal assistance to low-income individuals who, prior to or as a result of a presidentially-declared major disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other public organizations
FEMA enters into a contract with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division to cover the administrative costs of implementing and managing the Disaster Legal Services program.
Beneficiaries
- 11
The Disaster Legal Services program provides free legal advice for individuals impacted by a presidentially-declared major disaster that includes Individual Assistance. Legal advice is limited to cases that do not produce a fee. This free legal advice for disaster-related matters includes, but is not limited to, assistance with insurance claims; landlord/tenant problems; home repair contracts; consumer protection matters; mortgage foreclosure problems; replacement of wills and other important legal documents; drafting of powers of attorney; estate administration; preparation of guardianships and conservatorships; and referrals to local and state agencies for additional assistance.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
FEMA makes a formal request to the National Director of the Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program indicating the intent to implement the DLS program.
Award Procedure
Administrative funds are made available through a contractual agreement as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement between FEMA and the American Bar Association on behalf of its Young Lawyers Division.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) supports the NPG Mission Area of Recovery and the specific capability targets of economic recovery and health and social services.
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The Disaster Legal Services program provides free legal advice for individuals impacted by a Presidentially-declared major disaster that includes Individual Assistance. Legal advice is limited to cases that do not produce a fee. This free legal advice includes assistance with insurance claims; counseling on landlord/tenant problems; assistance with home repair contracts; assistance in consumer protection matters; counseling on mortgage foreclosure problems; replacement of wills and other important legal documents; drafting powers of attorney; estate administration; preparation of guardianships and conservatorships; and referrals to local and State agencies for additional assistance.