Officials with FEMA say a toll-free disaster hotline is available to survivors of the recent Iowa floods who may need legal assistance. The hotline allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer to aid in disaster-related matters, and is a partnership between Legal Aid of Iowa, The Iowa State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

Flood victims facing legal issues may call 833-885-9876 toll-free, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday to request assistance. When connected to the hotline voicemail, callers should leave their name, phone number, brief details of the assistance needed and in which county they are located. Individuals who qualify for assistance will be matched with Iowa lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal assistance. The types of legal assistance available include:

• Assistance with securing FEMA and other government benefits available to disaster survivors;
• Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims;
• Help with home repair contracts and contractors;
• Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster;
• Assistance in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures; Counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems; and
• Counseling on landlord-tenant problems.