Posted in: Public
A toll-free legal aid hotline is available to South Carolina victims of storm-related damage as a result of Hurricane Florence in recently declared disaster areas in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marlboro and Marion counties.
The service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer to aid in flood and storm related matters, is a partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division and South Carolina Legal Services.
Hurricane victims facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call 1-877-797-2227 ext. 120 (toll-free) or (803) 576-3815 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. When connected to the hotline, callers should identify that they are seeking disaster-related legal assistance, provide brief details of the assistance needed and in which disaster-declared county they are located. Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with South Carolina lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal assistance.
The types of legal assistance available includes:
- Assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster victims;
- Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;
- Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
- Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster;
- Assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures;
- Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems; and
- Counseling on landlord-tenant problems.
Hurricane victims may also request assistance by e-mailing disasterinfo@scbar.org or submitting disaster-related questions to scfreelegalanswers.org.
Low-income residents may also contact South Carolina Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592 between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Thursday for free legal representation, advocacy and information. An intake for free services may also be submitted online at www.lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake.