LEGAL RESOURCES FOR FLOOD RECOVERY
General, Easy-to-Understand Legal Information:
Iowa Legal Aid’s website has easy-to-understand information about legal issues related to disaster and recovery. Housing, insurance, disaster unemployment assistance, food stamps, and FEMA are a few of the topics covered. Although Iowa Legal Aid attorneys represent only low-income Iowans and Iowans over 60 years of age, the information is available to everyone. For more information can be found on the website at: http://www.iowalegalaid.org/ NOTE: Click on Legal Information and Other Resources for Iowans, then click on “Disaster Relief” and choose “FEMA Programs.” The application deadline for those affected by the floods of 2008, is September 27, 2008.
This resource is provided by Iowa Legal Aid.
Disaster Legal Services Hotline:
A free Disaster Legal Services Hotline is available to assist residents of Iowa who were affected by the recent severe weather events. Volunteer attorneys from around Iowa will be scheduled to respond to calls made to the hotline. This hotline is free and is being established to provide advice and counsel over the phone. If a caller should need further legal assistance, they will be matched with a volunteer attorney who can assist them. Advice will be offered for the areas of: 1) insurance claims; 2) landlord/tenant claims; 3) home repair contracts; 4) consumer protection; 5) preservation of legal documents; 6) estate administration; 7) powers of attorney; 8) replacement of important documents; 9) FEMA regulations Attorneys are also willing to address other issues as requested. The Disaster Legal Services Hotline telephone number is:
877-775-8882
This resource is provided by The Iowa State Bar Association, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, FEMA, and the Polk County Volunteer Lawyers Project and its members.
Consumer Protection Laws:
Iowa law may protect consumers doing flood recovery work. Among other consumer protection information, the Iowa Attorney General’s website has good tips for avoiding scams by clean-up and rebuilding contractors as well as information about protection against price gouging. Price gouging is the practice of charging unreasonably high prices for services and goods needed in recovery work, including housing and clean up equipment and supplies. The information can be found on the website at: www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org. Complaints about potential consumer fraud can be made by calling the Attorney General’s office at 888-777-4590.
This resource is provided by The Iowa Attorney General’s Office.