2019–2020 REFERRAL DIRECTORY - State Bar of Texas

2023?2024 REFERRAL DIRECTORY

Legal Services and Other Resources for Low-Income Texans

Published by the

LEGAL ACCESS DIVISION OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS

P.O. Box 12487 . Austin, Texas 78711-2487 512-427-1855 or 800-204-2222, Ext. 1855 . Fax: 512-427-4160 probono@ . referraldirectory

FOR STATEWIDE LEGAL RESOURCES SCROLL TO THE NEXT SECTION FOR LOCAL RESOURCES IN YOUR REGION CLICK ON YOUR COUNTY BELOW

Anderson Andrews Angelina Aransas Archer Armstrong Atascosa Austin Bailey Bandera Bastrop Baylor Bee Bell Bexar Blanco Borden Bosque Bowie Brazoria Brazos Brewster Briscoe Brooks Brown Burleson Burnet Caldwell Calhoun Callahan

Cameron

Denton

Camp

DeWitt

Carson

Dickens

Cass

Dimmit

Castro

Donley

Chambers Duval

Cherokee Eastland

Childress Ector

Clay

Edwards

Cochran

El Paso

Coke

Ellis

Coleman

Erath

Collin

Falls

Collingsworth Fannin

Colorado

Fayette

Comal

Fisher

Comanche Floyd

Concho

Foard

Cooke

Fort Bend

Coryell

Franklin

Cottle

Freestone

Crane

Frio

Crockett

Gaines

Crosby

Galveston

Culberson Garza

Dallam

Gillespie

Dallas

Glasscock

Dawson

Goliad

Deaf Smith Gonzales

Delta

Gray

Grayson Gregg Grimes Guadalupe Hale Hall Hamilton Hansford Hardeman Hardin Harris Harrison Hartley Haskell Hays Hemphill Henderson Hidalgo Hill Hockley Hood Hopkins Houston Howard Hudspeth Hunt Hutchinson Irion Jack Jackson

Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jim Hogg Jim Wells Johnson Jones Karnes Kaufman Kendall Kenedy Kent Kerr Kimble King Kinney Kleberg Knox La Salle Lamar Lamb Lampasas Lavaca Lee Leon Liberty Limestone Lipscomb Live Oak Llano

Loving Lubbock Lynn Madison Marion Martin Mason Matagorda Maverick McCulloch McLennan McMullen Medina Menard Midland Milam Mills Mitchell Montague Montgomery Moore

Morris

Real

Starr

Victoria

Motley

Red River Stephens

Walker

Nacogdoches Reeves

Sterling

Waller

Navarro

Refugio

Stonewall

Ward

Newton

Roberts

Sutton

Washington

Nolan

Robertson Swisher

Webb

Nueces

Rockwall

Tarrant

Wharton

Ochiltree

Runnels

Taylor

Wheeler

Oldham

Rusk

Terrell

Wichita

Orange

Sabine

Terry

Wilbarger

Palo Pinto San Augustine Throckmorton Willacy

Panola

San Jacinto Titus

Williamson

Parker

San Patricio Tom Green Wilson

Parmer

San Saba Travis

Winkler

Pecos

Schleicher Trinity

Wise

Polk

Scurry

Tyler

Wood

Potter

Shackelford Upshur

Yoakum

Presidio

Shelby

Upton

Young

Rains

Sherman

Uvalde

Zapata

Randall

Smith

Val Verde

Zavala

Reagan

Somervell Van Zandt

Table of Contents

Statewide Resources ? Civil Legal, Government and Related Agency Resources .............................................1 ? Children/Minors ..................................................................................................................................................1 ? Civil Rights/Discrimination ..................................................................................................................................2 ? Consumer ...........................................................................................................................................................2 ? Disability .............................................................................................................................................................3 ? Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/Crime Victims ..............................................................................................3 ? Elder Law............................................................................................................................................................4 ? Employment........................................................................................................................................................4 ? Grievances Against Lawyers, Judges or Medical Professionals ........................................................................5 ? Health .................................................................................................................................................................5 ? Housing ..............................................................................................................................................................6 ? Immigration .........................................................................................................................................................6 ? Insurance ............................................................................................................................................................7 ? Non-Profits/Transactional....................................................................................................................................7 ? Public Benefits....................................................................................................................................................7 ? Public Utilities .....................................................................................................................................................8 ? Veterans..............................................................................................................................................................8 ? Other...................................................................................................................................................................8

Civil Resources ? Legal Resources Related to Civil Matters (by county) ............................................................9 ? Introduction to Legal Aid (map of legal aid program service areas) ? 2023 Poverty Guidelines

Criminal Resources ? Legal and Other Resources Relating to Criminal Matters ..........................................176 ? Capital Criminal Matters (Involving the Death Penalty)..................................................................................176 ? Grievances......................................................................................................................................................176 ? Jail Grievances .....................................................................................................................................176 ? Prison Grievances ................................................................................................................................176 ? Information for Relatives of Inmates...............................................................................................................177 ? Innocence Claims ...........................................................................................................................................177 ? Legal Resources for Inmates in Prison ..........................................................................................................178 ? Legal Resources for Mexican Nationals .........................................................................................................179 ? Non-Capital Criminal Matters (Misdemeanors or Felonies) ...........................................................................179 ? Public Defender ..............................................................................................................................................179 ? County ..................................................................................................................................................179 ? Federal Public Defender (Texas 5th Circuit ? Federal Court) ...............................................................181 ? Juvenile Public Defender ......................................................................................................................181 ? Specialty Public Defender.....................................................................................................................182 ? Statewide Legal Resources Relating to Criminal Matters ..............................................................................183

Other Resources.....................................................................................................................................................184 ? Lawyer Referral Services (Full Fee and Reduced Fee) .................................................................................184 ? Introduction To Pro Se (Self-Help) Resources ...............................................................................................185

Statewide Civil Legal, Government, and Related Agency Resources

CHILDREN/MINORS

abused or neglected a child. This is handled through the OIA review process (formerly called the OCR review

Abuse & Neglect, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS)

process). We also refer people to other agencies and programs that may be able to assist them.

800-252-5400 (Main Office) dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/report_abuse.asp Hotline to report abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and the elderly or adults with disabilities.

Office of the Attorney General (OAG), HEROES for Children in Military Families 512-460-6400 (Main Office) child-support/programs

CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) 800-964-2777 (Main Office) hhs.services/health/medicaidchip/medicaid-chip-members/chip Offers low cost or free health insurance coverage from the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Children's Medicaid; both programs cover office visits, prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams, glasses and much more. CHIP coverage is also available for unborn children (see CHIP Perinatal).

-and-initiatives/heroes-program-service-members Military and veteran families face unique challenges when it comes to child support and parenting. The HEROES program is here to help. If you are a service member, you know the nature of your job can complicate your child support case. To provide assistance, the Child Support Division developed the Help Establishing Responsive Orders and Ensuring Support (HEROES) for Children in Military Families program. The HEROES program partners military families with specialized attorneys to work through their child support needs.

Disability Rights Texas 800-252-9108 (Apply for Services) Legal representation and advocacy for disability rights issues. Intake Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm or apply online at: intake..

Office of Attorney General Child Support ? General Information Line 800-252-8014 (Main Office) cs/child-support-division Provides information 24 hours a day for child support establishment and enforcement services provided by

Jane's Due Process, Inc. 866-999-5263 (Main Office) Provides free legal support and case management for young Texans navigating parental consent laws on abortion

the Office of the Attorney General (OAG); assists in establishing paternity; handles reporting for newly hired or retired employee statutes; offers parents automated information on payment and case status, dates, and more.

and birth control.

Texas Access and Visitation Hotline, Office of the

Office of Internal Affairs for the Department of Family and Protective Services 800-720-7777 (Main Office) dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/Questions_and _Complaints/OIA.asp The Office of Internal Affairs (OIA) handles complaints about specific cases relating to DFPS program policy. We are here to help you, and you can trust us to fairly review your complaints. The DFPS programs include:

Attorney General 866-292-4636 (Main Office) Operates a toll free telephone hotline which provides easy access for parents across Texas to basic legal information, education and resources on the following issues: access, visitation and custody, the child support order process and modifications and enforcements. Hotline is answered Monday through Friday 1 pm ? 5 pm.

? Adult Protective Services

? Child Protective Investigations

Texas Foster Youth Justice Project

? Child Protective Services

877-313-3688 (Main Office)

? Child Care Investigations



? Texas Abuse Hotline

Provides free legal support and guidance to current and

The OIA takes complaints from the public including foster former foster youth and those that work with them. It is a

youth ages 18 years old and older, and former foster youth. special project of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. and

The OIA can address general, non-specific inquiries and serves the whole state of Texas. The Project also

questions about a DFPS case as well as the case process. publishes A Guide to "Aging Out" of foster care in Texas.

The OIA conducts formal reviews of a Child Protective The Project provides free information, resources and

investigation when the investigation concludes a person presentations at events for foster youth and those who

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help them. Our interactive Foster Youth Jeopardy game covers important legal issues faced by youth.

Texas Legal Services Center ? Family Helpline, CPS Information and Education 844-888-6565 (Main Office) family Speak with an experienced child welfare attorney about Child Protective Services (CPS) issues in Texas. Callers receive reliable legal information and education -- over the phone and in an anonymous setting. Anyone may call the Family Helpline, not just the parents of children involved with Child Protective Services. Calls accepted Monday through Friday from 9 am ? 6 pm.

CIVIL RIGHTS/DISCRIMINATION

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) 713-942-8146 (Main Office) Works in courts, legislatures and in the community to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 800-669-4000 (Main Office) Responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40+), disability or genetic information.

Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF) 210-224-5476 (Main Office) Promotes change in the areas of education, employment, immigrants' rights and political access through litigation, policy work, and community education and advocacy.

agencies and institutions of higher education; reporting of equal employment opportunity statistics; equal employment opportunity training of state agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public and private employers; enforcement of fair employment laws; and enforcement of fair housing laws.

CONSUMER

Consumer Helpline, Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner 512-936-7600 (Main Office) occc. Offering consumers assistance with complaints and inquiries; Enforcing Texas laws regarding lending; Licensing and registering creditors operating in Texas; Providing educational services to both consumers and creditors; Providing legal policies, informal opinions, and official interpretations to the industry, the Legislature, the courts, and financial institutions, including those not regulated by the OCCC.

Financial Hope Credit Counseling Services, Inc. 214-276-0235 (Main Office) Services of Hope (SOH) consistent mission has been transformation driven by using data-driven pioneering programs so that individuals, families and communities can experience self-sufficiency and ultimately thrive. SOH pursues that transformation through their "Integrated Service Delivery Model," which incorporates Wraparound Social Services; Financial Education/Financial Literacy; and Workforce Development and has never been bound by location, geography or a physical address. SoH is mobile and capable of remotely accessing and serving clients, and its staff has always been drawn from the people served. The cultural and linguistic continuities have facilitated innovation in program designs, diversity in modes of communication, and empathetic service on behalf of low-to moderate income (LMI) individuals, families and communities throughout Dallas County.

Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights 512-463-2642 (Main Office) twc.partners/civil-rights-discrimination The Civil Rights Division (CRD) enforces the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (Texas Labor Code, Chapter 21) and the Texas Fair Housing Act (Texas Property Code, Chapter 301). The Texas Commission on Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability and retaliation. The Texas Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, mental or physical disability, familial status and retaliation. The CRD conducts the following activities: review of personnel policies and procedural systems of state

Office of the Attorney General ? Consumer Protection Division 512-463-2185 (Main Office) consumer-protection Investigates and enforces state and federal civil consumer protection laws on behalf of the State of Texas; accepts consumer complaints regarding deceptive trade practices but cannot represent individual consumers.

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DISABILITY

Abuse & Neglect, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) 800-252-5400 (Main Office) dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/report_abuse.asp Hotline to report abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and the elderly or adults with disabilities.

Area Agencies on Aging, Health and Human Services Commission 800-252-9240 (Main Office) hhs.services/aging/care-people-60 Provides services through the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) which offers: finding and accessing community resources, understanding Medicare and other federal benefits, providing support to caregivers, and more.

Disability Rights Texas 800-252-9108 (Main Office) Legal representation and advocacy for disability rights issues. Intake Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm or apply online at: intake..

HELPS (Help Eliminate Legal Problems for Seniors and Disabled) 855-435-7787 (Main Office) Provides representation for lower-income seniors and disabled persons, as their attorney under the Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, to stop unwanted collector contact by phone or mail. Also provides education to seniors and disabled persons on how to maintain financial independence.

Relay Texas 800-735-2988 (Main Office) Provides telephone accessibility service between individuals who can hear and those who are deaf, hardof-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled. The relay service is available 24/7: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2988

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SEXUAL ASSAULT/ CRIME VICTIMS

Find a Family Violence Program Center in your area: hhs.services/safety/family-violence-program

Brighter Tomorrows 972-262-8383 (Main Office / Hotline) Provides legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly with obtaining protective orders and referrals to free and sliding scale legal assistance. 24-Hour Hotline.

Crime Victim Services Division, Office of the Attorney General 800-983-9933 (Main Office) crime-victims Provides services for crime victims through the Crime Victims' Compensation Program, Address Confidentiality Program, Victim Notification, and Sexual Assault Exam Reimbursement programs.

FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center 281-446-2615 (Main Office) Provides legal advocacy for survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, particularly with emergency shelter access, free individual and group counseling, hospital and court accompaniment, and more. 24-hour crisis hotline.

LASSA, (Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault) 844-303-7233 (Main Office) LASSA provides survivors of sexual assault with a wide range of free legal services from general advice to holistic, direct representation on civil legal matters. LASSA works directly with partner agencies, including rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters, for community outreach, education, and cross-agency referrals.

Love Is Respect ? National Dating Abuse Helpline 866-331-9474 (Main Office) Highly trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships and/or experienced dating violence. 24- hour hotline: 866-331-9474 Text "LoveIs" to 22522 or 866-331-9474

National Domestic Violence Hotline 737-225-3150 (Main Office) The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Highly trained, experienced advocates offer confidential and anonymous compassionate support, crisis intervention, education, safety planning, and referral services.

Northwest Assistance Ministries' Family Violence Center 281-885-4673 (Main Office) The Family Violence Center offers crisis intervention and support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault; services include crisis counseling, case management, counseling, information & referral, community awareness and education. NAM also offers a children's health services, senior services, adult learning opportunities, food pantry, basic needs and housing assistance. Primarily serves Harris County.

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Texas Advocacy Project 800-374-4673 (Main Office) Texas Advocacy Project (TAP) strives to end dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, and human trafficking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal services and access to the justice system, and advances prevention through public outreach and education.

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault 512-474-7190 (Main Office) Statewide coalition of survivors, advocates, rape crisis centers, and allied professionals that offers information, resources, and referrals to victims of sexual assault.

Texas Legal Services Center ? Crime Victims 888-303-7233 (Main Office) crimevictims Provides legal advice, safety planning, selfrepresentation support, and legal representation to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse or assault, elder abuse, or other forms of violent crime. Also assists victims of stalking and identity theft.

ELDER LAW

Abuse & Neglect, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) 800-252-5400 (Main Office) dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/report_abuse.asp Hotline to report abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and the elderly or adults with disabilities.

Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) 512-794-1133 (Main Office)

Area Agencies on Aging, Health and Human Services Commission



800-252-9240 (Main Office)

TCFV is the statewide coalition for approximately 100

hhs.services/aging/care-people-60

direct service providers in the state. We are a multi-

Provides services through the local Area Agency on

faceted agency focused on supporting survivors through the agencies that serve them, policy and legislative advocacy, and strategic prevention efforts. We conduct wide extensive research on an array of topics and issue

Aging (AAA) which offers: finding and accessing community resources, understanding Medicare and other federal benefits, providing to support to caregivers, and more.

an annual report on homicides. We can quickly mobilize across the state during disasters, etc.

HELPS (Help Eliminate Legal Problems for Seniors and Disabled)

Texas Crime Victim Legal Assistance Network

855-435-7787 (Main Office)



Provides representation for lower-income seniors and

The Texas Crime Victim Legal Assistance Network

disabled persons, as their attorney under the Federal

("Network") is a collaboration of service providers

Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, to stop unwanted

working together to ensure victims (survivors) of crime obtain the services they need to recover from their victimization through one central location. The Network

collector contact by phone or mail. Also provides education to seniors and disabled persons on how to maintain financial independence.

brings together a diverse range of providers who on their own cannot provide all services but who by working together can offer a broad spectrum of legal and non-legal support services that are essential to helping victims (survivors) recover. The website builds

Texas Legal Services Center ? Legal Hotline for Texans 800-622-2520, Option 3 seniors The Legal Helpline for Texans provides callers with

connections between crime victim agencies working to counsel and advice ? all for free and over the phone.

meet crime victim legal needs.

Eligible Texans age 60+ or Medicare beneficiaries can

receive assistance with advance directives, power of

Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Victim Services Division 512-406-5900 (Main Office) tdcj.divisions/vs/index.html

attorney, adult guardianship, home ownership / property issues, Medicaid, Medicare, and consumer issues such as debt collection. Calls accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 am ? 5 pm.

The TDCJ Victim Services Division is dedicated to providing direct, personal service to victims and their

EMPLOYMENT

families throughout Texas, as well as, assisting those

outside our state to the best of our ability. It is our goal Division of Workers' Compensation, Texas

to assure victims that they are not left behind at the

Department of Insurance

crime scene, but can be involved in all parts of the

512-804-4000 (Main Office)

criminal justice system if desired.

tdi.wc

Assists injured employees who are covered by workers

compensation; provides safety and health services to

Texas employers.

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