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Agenda: NC Disaster Legal Services CLE

Thursday, November 21, 2024

NC Bar Center, 8000 Weston Parkway, Cary NC

In person: 8:15am start time  |  Live webcast: 8:45am start time

 

8:15        Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:45        Welcome and Introductions

Kim Bart Mullikin, Senior Director, North Carolina Bar Foundation, Cary
Sylvia Novinsky, Director, NC Pro Bono Resource Center, Raleigh

9:00        What’s New With FEMA?

Elizabeth B. “Brooks” Savage, NC OSBM Disaster Recovery, Raleigh
Emma J. Smiley, Legal Aid of NC, Durham

Explore the role of the federal government at the beginning of the disaster recovery process. Learn more about the FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) application process, recent IHP updates, and common FEMA appeals topics.

10:00      Break

10:10      Access to Public Benefits and Aid

Lanie K. Harris, Legal Aid of NC, Greensboro
Chynna Smith, NC Department of Commerce, Raleigh

Discover legal aspects of unemployment compensation post-disaster. Take an in-depth look at government benefits available, specifically Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP); Food and Nutrition Service (FNS); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Medicaid/Medicare; Social Security benefits; and mental health support.

11:10      Break

11:20      Insurance Claims

Christy C. Dunn, Young Moore and Henderson PA, Raleigh
Rebecca Huffman Ugolick, Howard Stallings Law Firm, Raleigh

This session sheds light on disaster-related property and casualty insurance claims, including statute of limitations, the mediation program, litigation and deadlines. Receive an overview of flood insurance and increased cost of compliance funding.

12:20      Lunch Break

1:00        Fraudulent Contractors and Other Consumer Issues

Daniel J. DiMaria, Legal Aid of NC, Pembroke
Daniel J. Worrall, Legal Aid of NC, Greenville

Understand unfair and deceptive trade practices, as well as how to repair scams that occur post-disaster. Learn more about consumer issues during recovery.

2:00        Break

2:10        Tenant Rights and Fair Housing Issues

Hannah R. Guerrier, Legal Aid of NC, Charlotte
Ashley D. “A.D.” Skaff, Legal Aid of NC, Durham

Discover what rights tenants have in a disaster, specifically, the obligation to pay rent, deposits and utilities. Dive deeper into subsidized housing and fair housing issues.

3:10        Break

3:20        Estates, Probate, Titles, and Heir Property

Ashley D. “A.D.” Skaff, Legal Aid of NC, Durham
Anna V. Stearns, Sneed & Stearns PA, Black Mountain

Find out how to navigate common property-related issues that factor into a survivor’s recovery. Speakers discuss how these issues impede recovery and steps survivors can take to address these issues.

4:20        Break

4:30        Long-Term Recovery

J. Bradford “Brad” Piland, NC Department of Public Safety, Raleigh
Elizabeth B. “Brooks” Savage, NC OSBM Disaster Recovery, Raleigh

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the broader long-term recovery landscape. Learn more about FEMA Duplication of Benefits (DOB) and recoupment, grant funding from the state and nonprofits, and how all the issues discussed impact recovery.

5:00        Adjourn