Members Area|
Make a Donation
Contact Us

Home

Who We Are

What We Do

Get Help

Volunteer

Articles
Forms
Past CLE Manuals
Mentors & Consultants
Links

Events

News/Media

Donate!

Civil rights

Consumer

Disability

Elder Law

Employment

Family Law

Housing

Immigration

Public Benefits

Wills & Estates

   
Legal Links And General Information Sources

Public Benefits

Disability Benefits
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including social security disability benefits. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on disability.
  2. Social Security Administration: For information about social security disability benefits, including how to apply, disability starter kit, benefits planner, forms and other publications, social security disability insurance and social security income, Medicaid & Medicare benefits, visit http://www.ssa.gov/benefits/. For excellent question & answers about qualifying and receiving social security disability benefits, visit www.ssa.gov, choose disability from drop down Questions About menu, and click on the topic of interest to you. You can also ask a question on-line and have an answer emailed back to you.
  3. Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services: Information on childhood intervention services, vocational rehabilitative services, services for blind, deaf, and hard of hearing. Has disability determination services including frequently asked questions. Visit http://www.dars.state.tx.us/.
  4. Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services: Information on children, older Texans, persons with mental and physical disabilities. Visit http://www.dads.state.tx.us/, click on services for Texans and choose appropriate topic.
Energy Assistance
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including energy assistance. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on energy assistance.
  2. Public Utility Commission of Texas: Information on how to file a complaint, low-income assistance programs, Lifeline & Link up programs to reduce cost of telephone hookup and monthly fees, payment assistance for elderly and disabled. Visit http://www.puc.state.tx.us/index.cfm, click on low-income assistance programs and choose needed topic.
  3. Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Has information on home repair and weatherization programs and utility bill help. Visit http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us, click on Consumer Assistance, the red tab at top of home page, then click on needed topic.
Food Stamps
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including food stamps. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on food stamps.
  2. Texas Health and Human Services Commission: For food stamp program and eligibility information, visit http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/, click on HHSC Programs, scroll down to Texas Works Food Stamps program. Scroll down further for handbooks on food stamps program.
  3. The State of Texas Assistance and Referral System (STARS): Self-screen your eligibility for variety of Texas assistance programs. Visit http://www.txstars.net/servlet/HSGServlet?page=Home
  4. Call 2-1-1 to apply for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPs), food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and long-term care in Travis County.
Health Information & Medicaid: Children
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including children’s health insurance and Medicaid. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org and click on public benefits, click on children’s health/Medicaid.
  2. Employee Retirement System of Texas: Information on children’s health insurance supplement for state employees. Visit http://www.ers.state.tx.us/Insurance/Default.htm and scroll down to State Kid’s Insurance Program. Application on-line.
  3. Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services: Information on childhood intervention services, vocational rehabilitative services, services for blind, deaf, and hard of hearing. Has disability determination services including frequently asked questions. Visit http://www.dars.state.tx.us/.
  4. Texas Department of State Health Services: Excellent site for information on adolescent health, audiology services, breastfeeding, children with special health care needs (CSHCN Program – including application form), epilepsy, hemophilia, newborn screening, prenatal and postnatal depression, school vision and hearing programs, children’s spinal screening, Texas Health Steps program for children on Medicaid (including dental), food assistance and nutrition for pregnant women through Women, Infants, Children Program (WIC). Visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us, click on family and community health. Search site using “Medicaid” for additional information on Medicaid managed care in Texas. Search PACT for information on hearing loss program for children of low-income families.
  5. Texas Health and Human Services Commission: For information and assistance on Medicaid, including managed care, visit http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/. Find local office near you at http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/maps/listing.shtml.
  6. TexCare Partnership: Apply on-line for children’s Medicaid (for very low-income families) or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPs, flexible rate program for low-income families that do not qualify for Medicaid). Listing of CHIP providers and pharmacies. State employees are not eligible for CHIPs but may qualify for SKIPs (see above for State Health Insurance Program). Available in Spanish. Visit http://www.texcarepartnership.com/CHIP-Main-Page.htm.
  7. The State of Texas Assistance and Referral System (STARS): Self-screen your eligibility for variety of Texas assistance programs. Visit http://www.txstars.net/servlet/HSGServlet?page=Home
  8. Call 2-1-1 to apply for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPs), food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and long-term care in Travis County.
Health Information & Medicaid: General
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including Medicaid. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org and click on public benefits, click on Medicaid.
  2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Information on Medicaid and Medicare coverage, including extensive frequently asked questions. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/.
  3. Legal Hotline for Texans: Information on several topics, including low-cost or free prescription drug programs for low-income individuals. Visit http://www.tlsc.org/hotline.html, click on needed topic.
  4. Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services: Information on childhood intervention services, vocational rehabilitative services, services for blind, deaf, and hard of hearing. Has disability determination services including frequently asked questions. Visit http://www.dars.state.tx.us/.
  5. Texas Department of Transportation: For information on transportation services for Medicaid recipients with no other means of transportation, visit http://www.dot.state.tx.us/ptn/mtp/mtphome.htm.
  6. Texas Health and Human Services Commission: For information and assistance on Medicaid, including managed care, visit http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/. Find local office near you at http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/maps/listing.shtml.
  7. Texas Young Lawyers Association: For information brochure on Medicare, Medicaid, and SSI, visit www.tyla.org, click on Serving Texas Citizens, click on Senior Issues.
  8. Call 2-1-1 to apply for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPs), food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and long-term care in Travis County.
Health Information & Medicaid: Women
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including Women Infant Children (WIC) health program and Medicaid. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org and click on Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program.
  2. Texas Department of State Health Services: Excellent site for information on adolescent health, audiology services, breastfeeding, children with special health care needs (CSHCN Program – including application form), epilepsy, hemophilia, newborn screening, prenatal and postnatal depression, school vision and hearing programs, children’s spinal screening, Texas Health Steps program for children on Medicaid (including dental), food assistance and nutrition for pregnant women through Women, Infants, Children Program (WIC). Visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us, click on family and community health. Search site using “Medicaid” for additional information on Medicaid managed care in Texas. Search PACT for information on hearing loss program for children of low-income families. For WIC information, visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/.
  3. Call 2-1-1 to apply for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPs), food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and long-term care in Travis County.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including supplemental security income. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on supplemental security income.
  2. Social Security Administration: Find out if you are eligible for either supplemental security income or social security disability income program. Get an estimate of the benefit you might receive. Find out how to apply for benefits. See if a child qualifies to get benefits. Site available in large text and assistance is available for non-English speakers. Visit www.ssa.gov, click on “Do you qualify?” under Disability and SSI and follow additional links to specific topics. Additional information and frequently asked questions can be found by choosing “Benefits” in the drop down menu next to “Questions About” and then choosing “Supplemental Security Income” under “Categories.”
  3. Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services: Information on services for children, older Texans, persons with mental and physical disabilities. Visit http://www.dads.state.tx.us/, click on find services.
  4. Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services: Information on childhood intervention services, vocational rehabilitative services, services for blind, deaf, and hard of hearing. Has disability determination services including frequently asked questions. Visit http://www.dars.state.tx.us/.
  5. Texas Young Lawyers Association: For information brochure on Medicare, Medicaid, and SSI, visit www.tyla.org, click on Serving Texas Citizens, click on Senior Issues.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including TANF. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on TANF.
  2. Texas Health and Human Services Commission: For TANF program and eligibility information, visit http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/, click on HHSC Programs, scroll down to Family Services and click on TANF. Available in Spanish.
  3. Call 2-1-1 to apply for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPs), food stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and long-term care in Travis County.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including unemployment benefits. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on unemployment insurance.
  2. Texas Workforce Commission: Information on applying for unemployment benefits, appealing a denial of benefits, wage claims, searching for a job, getting child or elder care, employee rights, civil rights and discrimination. Visit http://www.twc.state.tx.us/, click on Job Seekers and Employees.
Workers Compensation
  1. TexasLawHelp.org: Information on various legal topics, including workers compensation. Also available in Spanish. Visit www.TexasLawHelp.org, click on public benefits, click on worker’s compensation.
  2. Texas Department of Insurance: Information on worker’s compensation benefits, frequently asked questions, finding a doctor, injured worker’s forms, injured worker’s rights and responsibilities, safety violation hotline, and returning to work. Visit http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/indexwc.html, click on needed topic.
Attorney Referral Sources
  1. Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas: Provides referrals to attorneys in central Texas. The referral service is free. The attorneys will charge for their services. If you are low-income and need help with a family law matter or will, you might qualify for referral to an attorney who has agreed to take cases at a reduced rate. Visit www.austinlrs.com or call (512) 472-8303 or toll-free at (866) 303-8303.
  2. State Bar of Texas: Statewide referral service. The referral service is free. The attorneys will charge for their services. Visit www.texasbar.com and click on Additional Information for the Public, then click on Selecting a Lawyer, then click on Lawyer Referral Service. Or call toll-free at (800) 252-9690 or (877) 9TEXBAR
  3. Legal Aid Offices: For very low-income individuals who cannot afford an attorney only. For a list of organizations providing free civil (not criminal) legal assistance in each county in Texas, please visit www.texaslawhelp.org, click on Legal Aid Directory in the top blue bar, then click on the By Service Area tab, and then click on your county.
 
Home | Who We Are | What We Do | Get Help | Volunteer | Events | News/Media | Donate! | Disclaimer  ©2006 VLS All Rights Reserved