Free legal assistance offered to some affected by Harvey

Darrel Rosales, 14, takes a break from cleaning up his flood-damaged home in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Harvey in the Verde Forest subdivision on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston. His family evacuated to the Toyota Center. less Darrel Rosales, 14, takes a break from cleaning up his flood-damaged home in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Harvey in the Verde Forest subdivision on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Houston. His family evacuated ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Free legal assistance offered to some affected by Harvey 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

Several groups are offering free legal services in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which unleashed catastrophic flooding in the Houston area.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, a nonprofit legal assistance organization funded by the federal government and the Texas State Supreme Court, is offering free legal assistance to low-income residents with problems arising from Harvey.

The nonprofit says it can help with a wide range of problems: Accessing disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies, dealing with insurance and landlord-tenant conflicts, replacing lost documents, and addressing consumer protection issues and contractor scams.

The group's toll-free disaster hotline is 1-866 757 1570. Information can also be found here.

The TRLA and the Parental Readiness and Empowerment Program (PREP), an initiative of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, have also launched a "post-Harvey hotline for displaced families concerned about enrollment and special education services at their new schools."

"As children are forced from their homes by Hurricane Harvey, they retain their right to access public schools and their right to receive necessary special education services," said Natasha Quiroga, director of PREP, in a written statement. "These rights are critical to ensuring minimal disruption for children who face the trauma of relocation, which too often results in children suffering academically, psychologically, and socially.

Parents with children displaced by Harvey and with concerns about enrolling their child in a public school can call the hotline at 1-844-773-7487) or fill out an online intake form here.

Meanwhile, the Houston Bar Association has expanded the hours of LegalLine, its free call-in legal advice program, to provide assistance to those with Harvey-related questions. Volunteer attorneys will answer calls from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Sept. 29. The phone number is 713-759-1133 or toll-free at 1-866-959-1133.

The group will also offer an extended-hours LegalLine from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 20.

The HBA says it can answer questions on landlord/tenant matters, insurance, FEMA assistance, property, lost documents and other issues related to the storm, as well as help with applying for legal aid and other resources. Additional information can be found here: