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Disaster Legal Services

DLS
Number: 97.033
Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Program Information 

Program Number/Title (010):
97.033 Disaster Legal Services
Popular Name (020):
DLS
Federal Agency (030):
Department of Homeland Security
Authorization (040):
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 416, Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C 5182.
Objectives (050):
The Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) supports the NPG Mission Area of Recovery and the specific capability targets of economic recovery and health and social services. DLS accomplishes this by providing legal assistance to low-income individuals who, prior to or as a result of a Presidentially declared disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs.
Types of Assistance (060):
Direct Payments for Specified Use
Uses and Use Restrictions (070):
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 (080)
Applicant Eligibility (081):
FEMA enters into a contract with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division to cover the administrative costs of implementing and managing the Disaster Legal Services program.
Beneficiary Eligibility (082):
Service provision is geared toward low-income individuals who, prior to or because of the disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster-related needs.
Credentials/Documentation (083):
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process (090)
Preapplication Coordination (091):
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 Procedures (092):
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. FEMA 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 (093):
Administrative funds are made available through a contractual agreement as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement between FEMA and the American Bar Association on behalf of its Young Lawyers Division.
Deadlines (094):
Not Applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time (095):
None.
Appeals (096):
None.
Renewals (097):
None.
Assistance Consideration (100)
Formula and Matching Requirements (101):
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 (102):
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 (110)
Reports (111):
Volunteer attorneys submit reports on services and/or advice given to clients. Cash reports are not applicable. Volunteer attorneys submit reports on services and/or advice given to clients. Refer to Program guidance. Refer to Program guidance.
Audits (112):
No audits are required for this program.
Records (113):
None.
Financial Information (120)
Obligations (122):
(Provision of Specialized Services) FY 11 $104,250; FY 12 est $29,750; and FY 13 Estimate Not Available - FY-2012 -$29,750.00 first quarter.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance (123):
None.
Program Accomplishments (130):
Fiscal Year 2011: 25 programs were implemented and funded in 2011. Annual training for the newly elected volunteer attorneys was held in June. Fiscal Year 2012: 6 programs were implemented and funded for the first quarter of FY2012. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature (140):
Federal Disaster Assistance Regulations, 44 CFR 206.164; and Disaster Legal Services Handbook.
Information Contacts (150)
Regional or Local Office (151) :
See Regional Agency Offices. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office (152):
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Directorate 500 C Street, SW, Sixth Floor
, Washington, District of Columbia 20472-3100 Phone: (202) 212-1117
Website Address (153):
http://www.fema.gov.
Related Programs (160):
Not Applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects (170):
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals (180):
Not Applicable.