Disaster Legal Services: Supporting Survivors & Strengthening Communities

Learn how the Legal Services Corporation plays a vital role in supporting legal aid organizations providing essential services to low-income Americans in the aftermath of a disaster.

LSC's Response to Disasters

In the aftermath of a disaster, legal aid organizations face significant challenges meeting the legal needs of disaster survivors. LSC supports disaster recovery through its Disaster Relief Grants Program. 

Civil legal challenges can haunt disaster survivors for years as they struggle to replace identification, apply for benefits and handle insurance claims. Many face serious issues like preventing evictions, fighting contractor scams and dealing with school transfers and transportation. Low-income individuals need support with disaster preparedness and legal expertise during recovery. 

Explore the Fact Sheet

How LSC Grantees Help Survivors:

Family Assistance
Housing Assistance
Identification and Documentation Recovery
Emergency Benefits

Grantees help clients obtain emergency child custody, visitation, support and other court orders requiring modification as a result of displacement, injury or job loss.

Grantees help homeowners secure temporary housing, file insurance claims, apply for home repair assistance, negotiate with landlords to make necessary repairs to damaged homes and protect renters from illegal evictions.

Grantees help clients replace important legal documents like personal identification cards, property titles, orders of protection and end-of-life documents. These are often necessary to apply for disaster relief benefits and insurance proceeds.

Grantees help families get emergency SNAP and FEMA benefits to pay for rent and other expenses, including disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits.

Quick Facts on Disaster Legal Need

Disasters are becoming more frequent and costly. In the 1980s, billion dollar disasters occurred every 111 days. In 2024, they occurred every 14 days.
So far in 2025, disasters have caused $182.7 billion in damages.
Every $1 invested in disaster civil legal aid delivers at least $5 in benefits to the community.

Learn More in our Disaster Task Force Report

Real People, Real Impact

Paul's Story

Post Hurricane Sandy, Paul was facing foreclosure after paying for home repairs and rent on temporary accommodations. Learn how LSC Grantee Legal Services of New Jersey helped him using legal aid.

Watch Paul's Story

Real People, Real Impact

Cannitta's Story

After a hurricane destroys her home, a single mother of three children is left homeless. Learn how Cannitta gets her children back after they are taken by social services with help from LSC Grantee, Legal Services of New Jersey.

Watch Cannitta's Story

Real People, Real Impact

Emily's Story

Learn how LSC Grantee, Legal Aid of North Carolina assisted Emily, who was displaced after hurricane Florence.

Watch Emily's Story

Disaster Legal Resources

Explore the following Disaster Preparedness Resources.

Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center

Legal resources and critical information for legal aid professionals, pro bono volunteers, and the disaster survivors they assist.

Heartland Disaster Help

Heartland Disaster Help is a project created by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to help residents in the Heartland of the United States prepare for potential disasters, including flooding, wind, fire, and extreme heat events.

Disaster Task Force

Learn about the impact of disasters on low-income survivors, and LSC's role in ameliorating that struggle across the country.