Disaster Legal Services (97.033)
Program
97.033 Disaster Legal Services
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Authorization
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 415, Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C 5182.
Program Number
97.033
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide legal assistance to low-income individuals affected by a Presidentially-declared major disaster.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Disaster Legal Services Program provides free legal advice for individuals impacted by a Presidentially-declared major disaster that includes Individual Assistance. Legal advice is limited to cases that do not produce a fee. This free legal advice includes assistance with insurance claims; counseling on landlord/tenant problems; assistance with home repair contracts; assistance in consumer protection matters; counseling on mortgage foreclosure problems; replacement of wills and other important legal documents; drafting powers of attorney; estate administration; preparation of guardianships and conservatorships; and referrals to local and State agencies for additional assistance.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Low-income individuals, families, and groups.
Beneficiary Eligibility
When the President declares a major disaster in which individual assistance programs are triggered, legal services and advice are made available to victims who are unable to secure such services as a result of the disaster.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. FEM makes a formal request to the National Director of the Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program indicating the intent to implement the DLS program.
Award Procedure
Administrative funds are made available through a contractual agreement as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement between FEMA and the American Bar Association.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The length of the program is generally tied to the need for services and varies with each disaster. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Payment based on Project need.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Volunterr attorneys submit reports on services and/or avice given to clients. Refer to Program guidance. Refer to Program guidance. Refer to Program guidance. Refer to Program guidance.
Audits
No audits are required for this program.
Records
None.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0702-0-1-453.
Obligations
(Provision of Specialized Services) FY 08 $48,553; FY 09 est not reported.; FY 10 est not reported. - FY 2009: Estimate not available
FY 2010: Estimate not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Federal Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206.164; and Disaster Legal Services Handbook.
Related Programs
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Directorate 245 Murray Lane - Bldg. #410, Washington, District of Columbia 20528 Phone: (202) 447-4000
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
