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News Release
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
Nov. 5, 2020
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week goes virtual, free clinics held
November 9 - 13
Free legal help available for eligible Texas Veterans
AUSTIN, Texas––
Texas
veterans are invited to virtually participate in
Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW),
a statewide effort in honor of Veteran’s Day, coordinated by the Texas
Access to Justice Foundation and legal aid programs across the state, the
Texas Legal Aid Veterans Coalition. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
all clinics will be held virtually.
“As
the pandemic continues to impact Texas communities, our veterans need us now
more than ever,”
said Betty Balli Torres, executive director of the Texas Access to Justice
Foundation. “We are grateful for the Texas legislature for its continued
funding of legal services that help our veterans improve their lives and the
wellbeing of their families.”
During the week of Nov. 9-13, legal aid programs, local bar associations,
law schools and pro bono private lawyers will provide civil legal services
for qualified Texas veterans. A full list of virtual clinics and events
throughout the state can be found
here.
Texas has the second-highest population of veterans in the nation. According
to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual survey of homeless and
formerly homeless veterans, legal issues account for five of the top 10
unmet needs of homeless veterans. Obtaining access to free legal services can
be critical for veterans to get the benefits and support they need for
themselves and their families.
The Texas
Access to Justice Foundation provided $3.3 million in grants last year to 13
nonprofit organizations that provide free legal services to veterans.
Each year legal aid organizations provide free legal services to more
than 8,000 Texas veterans.
Legal aid organizations
and pro bono lawyers are able to provide legal representation to veterans
with civil legal problems, including:
Denial of critical
medical care
Problems receiving
benefits
Legal issues
related to disabilities
Family law matters
arising from deployment
Other issues that
may arise due to a veteran’s absence from home during military service
This year,
in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Texas Veterans Legal Aid
Coalition created a video project targeted at veterans that aims to solve
the challenges of outreach during COVID-19. Starting Nov. 13, the first of
five videos will be released covering the topic of benefits for veterans.
Visit, texaslawhelp.org to view the videos.
Assistance is also provided at a statewide hotline for veterans,
1-800-622-2520, option 2.
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The Texas Access to Justice Foundation, created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the largest state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to more than 140,000 Texas families each year. For more information, please visit:
www.tajf.org.
Kimberly Schmitt
512-320-0099, ext. 104
kschmitt@teajf.org
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