Disaster Legal Services
Supporting survivors and strengthening communities
Disasters Hit Low-Income Communities Hardest
Natural disasters disproportionately impact low-income individuals and families, who often lack the resources to prepare for, survive and recover from these devastating events.
Second Responders in Emergencies
Once the immediate danger has passed, survivors face legal challenges that can determine whether they rebuild or fall deeper into crisis. These challenges include:
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Family Assistance
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Housing Assistance
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Document Recovery
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Emergency Benefits
Includes emergency custody and visitation orders after displacement, injury or job loss
Includes securing temporary housing, filing insurance claims, applying for home repair assistance and negotiating with landlords
Includes replacing important legal documents like personal ID cards, property titles and orders of protection
Includes emergency SNAP and FEMA benefits, as well as disaster-related unemployment insurance benefits
Legal Support Helps Seniors Rebuild
Aggie, and come from different parts of the country. Their backgrounds and living situations are different. But there is one thing these seniors all have in common – they are survivors of natural disasters.
The Cost of Disasters and Value of Legal Aid
Every 14 days
A billion-dollar disaster occurred in 2024, compared with every 111 days in the 1980s.
$115 billion
In damages caused by disasters in 2025.
$5 in benefits
For every $1 invested in disaster civil legal aid.
Download a factsheet on disaster legal services.
LSC’s Commitment to Disaster Recovery
In 2018, LSC’s Board of Directors established the Disaster Task Force, focused on better integrating legal services into the nation’s disaster recovery efforts. After a year of studying the issue, the Task Force issued its findings and recommendations.
Disaster Legal Resources
For Communities
Heartland Disaster Help is a project designed by LSC to help Americans nationwide prepare for and respond to disasters.
For Providers
The Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center provides critical information for legal services professionals, pro bono volunteers and the disaster response community.
For Grantees
LSC’s disaster grants provide funding to LSC-funded organizations in the wake of – and in preparation for – government-declared emergencies.