If a disaster caused a legal problem for you, you may be able to get free legal help. This help comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Legal Services (DLS) Program.
What is Disaster Legal Services?
Disaster Legal Services gives free legal help to people affected by a Presidentially declared major disaster (a disaster the President has officially said is serious enough for federal help). FEMA runs the program together with the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division.
The program helps disaster survivors with legal problems that started, or got worse, because of the disaster. You do not pay attorney's fees (the cost of hiring a lawyer) for this help.
Who can get help?
You may qualify for Disaster Legal Services if:
- You were directly affected by a Presidentially declared major disaster. You can check whether your area qualifies using FEMA's disaster look-up tool.
- You do not have enough money to hire a lawyer on your own.
- You need help with a legal problem.
This program is for low-income disaster survivors who could not otherwise afford a lawyer.
How can Disaster Legal Services help me?
Disaster Legal Services may help with problems like:
- FEMA appeals (asking FEMA to take another look at a decision it made) and other disaster-related issues with government agencies
- Insurance claims for property damage
- Replacing legal papers that were lost or destroyed, like wills
- Problems with home repair contracts or disputes with contractors
- Landlord-tenant problems (disputes with a landlord) connected to the disaster
- Preparing a power of attorney (a legal paper that lets someone you trust make decisions for you) or guardianship papers (legal papers that name someone to care for a child or an adult who needs help)
When is Disaster Legal Services available?
Disaster Legal Services starts after FEMA turns on the program, following a Presidential disaster declaration. For this to happen, the declaration must include Individual Assistance. Individual Assistance is a type of federal help that goes directly to people and families, not just to governments.
Help usually starts soon after the declaration. It continues until FEMA and local partners decide the legal help hotline is no longer needed.
How do I find Disaster Legal Services?
Once the program is turned on for a disaster, the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division works with local partners to set up a free legal hotline. If the program is active in your area, you can:
- Call FEMA and ask if Disaster Legal Services is available in your disaster area
- Call the national Disaster Legal Services hotline at 1-888-743-5749. They can connect you to your local hotline, if one exists.
- Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, where legal help may be available in person
Hotlines and services are different for each disaster and location. FEMA and local legal aid groups usually share this information after the program starts.
Where can I learn more?
Visit the American Bar Association's Disaster Legal Services Program webpage for local information and more resources.
Last Reviewed: July 13, 2026