COVID-19

Page last updated: 08/29/2022

Introduction

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on disadvantaged communities and has created numerous legal problems for low-income individuals.

If you face legal issues due to COVID-19, visit our State and Territory page or the LSC website to locate a legal aid office near you.

For access to free COVID-19 tests, visit the USPS COVID-19 page or COVIDtests.gov

Types of COVID-19 Legal Issues

SHORT TERM
HOUSING Execution of writs of removal utility shut-offs Foreclosure prevention Denial of subsidized housing assistance based on COVID-19 issues (or association of) Homeless population not being addressed and lack of access to COVID services Public Housing Authority obligation to protect residents from COVID and to accommodate residents who have the virus Temporary housing: hotel/motel residents being “evicted” Advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities for continued community integration rather than unreasonable institutionalization SMALL BUSINESS Insurance claims Commercial lease evictions/negotiation	FAMILY Divorce Right of possession and access Emergency protective orders Emergency child custody modifications on CPS cases EMPLOYMENT Unemployment benefits Workplace safety Discrimination for disability FFCRA claims ESTATE ADMINISTRATION Probate Title Clearing
MID TERM
CONSUMER Fraud Scams Identity Theft Debt Collection Price Gouging Bankruptcy HOUSING Foreclosures Advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities for continued community integration rather than unreasonable institutionalization SMALL BUSINESS Bankruptcy	ESTATE ADMINISTRATION Determination of heirship Will probate MERP Small estate affidavits Life insurance FAMILY Divorce Domestic violence REAL PROPERTY Property tax payments Exemptions
LONG TERM
ESTATE ADMINISTRATION Determination of heirship Will probate MERP Small estate affidavits Life insurance TITLE CLEARING Deed drafting REAL PROPERTY Property tax payments and exemptions CONSUMER Debt collection Bankruptcy	SYSTEMIC LITIGATION Individuals with disabilities denied access to or benefit from federal/state/local services and programs SMALL BUSINESS Litigation Bankruptcy EDUCATION Continuation of services for IDEA or 504 students Continuation of programming once schools reopen Continued accessibility to public education

SHORT TERM

HOUSING

Execution of writs of removal utility shut-offs
Foreclosure prevention
Denial of subsidized housing assistance based on COVID-19 issues (or association of)
Homeless population not being addressed and lack of access to COVID services
Public Housing Authority obligation to protect residents from COVID and to accommodate residents who have the virus
Temporary housing: hotel/motel residents being “evicted”
Advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities for continued community integration rather than unreasonable institutionalization

SMALL BUSINESS

Insurance claims
Commercial lease evictions/negotiation

FAMILY

Divorce
Right of possession and access
Emergency protective orders
Emergency child custody modifications on CPS cases

EMPLOYMENT

Unemployment benefits
Workplace safety
Discrimination for disability
FFCRA claims

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Probate
Title Clearing

MID TERM

CONSUMER

Fraud
Scams
Identity Theft
Debt Collection
Price Gouging
Bankruptcy

HOUSING

Foreclosures
Advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities for continued community integration rather than unreasonable institutionalization

SMALL BUSINESS

Bankruptcy

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Determination of heirship
Will probate
MERP
Small estate affidavits
Life insurance

FAMILY

Divorce
Domestic violence

REAL PROPERTY

Property tax payments
Exemptions

LONG TERM

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Determination of heirship
Will probate
MERP
Small estate affidavits
Life insurance

TITLE CLEARING

Deed drafting

REAL PROPERTY

Property tax payments and exemptions

CONSUMER

Debt collection
Bankruptcy

SYSTEMIC LITIGATION

Individuals with disabilities denied access to or benefit from federal/state/local services and programs

SMALL BUSINESS

Litigation
Bankruptcy

EDUCATION

Continuation of services for IDEA or 504 students
Continuation of programming once schools reopen
Continued accessibility to public education

Housing

COVID-19 has resulted in many housing-related issues, such as evictions, utility shutoffs, subsidized housing issues, homelessness, foreclosures, etc. These issues and the available assistance vary by state. Your state or local government may be providing financial or other forms of assistance to help during these difficult times. Please visit your state/local agencies’ website for further information. You can also visit our State and Territory Resources page to locate a legal aid office near you. Local legal aid offices will have up-to-date information regarding the COVID-19 response in your area.

Unemployment

For resources and assistance with COVID-19 related unemployment issues, please contact your state’s unemployment agency or begin your search at the national website. If you are denied unemployment assistance, you may contact your local legal aid office to apply for assistance. Please visit our State and Territory Resources page to locate a legal aid office near you.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

News & Other Information

COVID tax relief: IRS provides broad-based penalty relief for certain 2019 and 2020 returns due to the pandemic; $1.2 billion in penalties being refunded to 1.6 million taxpayers

ON THIS PAGE:

Introduction

Types of COVID-19 Legal Issues

SHORT TERM

MID TERM

LONG TERM

Housing

Unemployment

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

News & Other Information

Resources

COVID-19 Response Guidelines for Organizations

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