Disaster Legal Services Attorney Resources

DLS Helpline Fliers (for print and e-distribution)

• English DLS Hotline Flier
• Spanish DLS Flier

National Disaster Attorney Handbook (Updated Fall 2024)

• National Disaster Attorney Handbook (Updated Fall 2024)

FEMA Forms

• FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Appeal Request (fillable form)
• FEMA Release of Information Form

Insurance Claims & Disputes for Disaster Response

• Insurance Orientation for Hurricane Ian survivors – VIDEO by United Policyholders (Nov. 2022)
• United Policyholders “Ask An Expert”
• NC Disaster Assistance Manual, Insurance Chapter (NC Pro Bono Resource Center)

Legal Aid of NC: Disaster Relief Resources & Guides

• Avoiding Scams and Fraud
• FEMA
• Filing an Appeal with Rebuild NC
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Property Ownership, Heir Property and Estate Planning
• Tenants’ Rights After a Natural Disaster

Pisgah Legal Services: Training Guides

• FEMA Initial Application Guide
• FEMA Application Tips
• PLS Volunteer Quick Guide for FEMA Applications
• FEMA Application Training PowerPoint

Disaster Relief Attorney Handbooks

• NC Pro Bono Resource Center Disaster Assistance Manual (Nov. 2018, updated Sept. 2021)
• Legal Aid of NC Disaster Relief Handbook
• Louisiana Disaster Handbook (rev. September 2024)
• ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Training Materials Library

General Disaster Information, Resource & Referral Guides

• North Carolina Bar Foundation Pro Bono Resource Manual
• NC Pro Bono Resource Center, Disaster Legal Assistance Resources
• Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center “Disaster Bootcamp”
• Legal Aid of NC, Disaster Relief Project
• LSC Disaster Legal Task Force Report

FEMA-Related Information & Resources

• FEMA Helpline: 1.800.621.3362
• To locate a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, text “DRC” and zip code to 4FEMA (43362). Example: “DRC 27513”
• To locate an open shelter, text “SHELTER” and zip code to SHELTER1234. Example “SHELTER 27513”

Helplines & Hotlines

• American Red Cross Disaster Services Relief Hotline: 1.800.RED.CROSS
• North Carolina Department of Insurance Consumer Helpline: 1.855.408.1212
• North Carolina Attorney General: 919.716.6400

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DLS Volunteer Expectations & Timeline

Every DLS pro bono attorney volunteer is asked to assist clients with FEMA claims and appeals – most of these needs can be met through phone-based brief advice and counseling. Volunteers who are willing to assist clients with other legal needs, as indicated on the DLS Volunteer Registration Form, may also receive referrals in other legal areas. Volunteers are asked to help clients with basic services such as filling out forms, writing letters, and placing phone calls.

Volunteers are asked to provide:
·   Basic counseling, advice and limited-scope representation;
·   Extended representation; and/or
·   Clinic-based brief advice and counseling (dates, times and places TBD).

Staff with Legal Aid of North Carolina and volunteers with the NCBA Young Lawyers Division and Paralegal Division will pair you with a DLS Hotline client referral after callers are processed through an intake conducted by Legal Aid of North Carolina staff. Please note that you may not receive a referral immediately after signing up to serve as a volunteer — please be patient, and stay engaged with us. NC residents affected by disaster will have legal assistance needs for up to a year, or more, post-event.

• In the first few weeks after a storm passes, the legal needs of those affected will concern initial FEMA and insurance claims, government benefits, school enrollment for displaced families, landlord/tenant and real property issues, document replacement and income protection matters.
• Two to six months out from the event, those affected by the hurricane will require assistance with FEMA/SBA appeals and recoupments, housing displacement, repair and contractor scams, and powers of attorney.
• In the longer term (6+ months post-event), affected residents may need legal advice and assistance regarding foreclosure, insurance disputes, bankruptcy and disaster relief tax applications.

If you are interested in providing immediate, brief pro bono legal assistance to disaster survivors, please sign up to volunteer with the NC Free Legal Answers pro bono project, through which volunteer attorneys provide answers to questions posed by members of the public through an online portal, in a Q&A format. Register at NC Free Legal Answers.

Malpractice insurance coverage is provided to attorneys who volunteer through the DLS program. For more information, please email [email protected].