Free Legal Help Available for New Mexico Residents Impacted by South Fork and Salt Fires, Flooding
Disaster Legal Services (DLS) is a free service funded by FEMA and available to southern New Mexico residents impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding that began June 17 through Aug. 20. If you need legal services and live in Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Juan Counties, or the Mescalero Apache Reservation, DLS may be able to help.
Disaster Legal Services are provided through the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association (ABA). You can reach them at 1-855-204-2569. DLS may only give advice and help with cases that won't have a fee. For fee cases, they may suggest a local lawyer referral service.
DLS may help with matters that include:
Insurance claims for medical bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc.
New wills and other legal papers lost in the disaster.
Home repair contracts and contractor fraud.
Problems with landlords.
Proof of home ownership.
FEMA appeals.
DLS attorneys are not FEMA employees. Their services are confidential, and they do not share information with FEMA.
To qualify, your primary residence must be in one of the counties mentioned above or on the Mescalero Apache Reservation at the time of the initial disaster date from June 17 through Aug. 20, 2024. Visit FEMA's Disaster Legal Services page for more details.
Other Legal Aid Programs Available in New Mexico
Disaster Legal Services - New Mexico Legal Aid at https://newmexicolegalaid.org/disaster-legal-services/ or call 833-545-4357
Free Legal Helplines for New Mexicans
Legal Resources for the Elderly Program, a free legal helpline for New Mexico residents 55 and older. Call 505-797-6005.
Modest Means Helpline, a free legal helpline for New Mexico residents of modest means. Call 505-797-6013.
For the latest information on the New Mexico recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4795 . Follow the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6 .
