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Virtual CLE for attorneys: Disaster Legal Help – FEMA Individual Assistance & Helping Applicants with Denials

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Join North Penn Legal Services for a disaster legal aid CLE Wednesday, Oct, 30, 2024 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn about the FEMA appeals process to help Pennsylvania survivors of Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024 or future events that receive a federal, “Presidential” disaster declaration.

The CLE, “Disaster Legal Help – FEMA Individual Assistance & Helping Applicants with Denials,” is free for civil legal advocates and pro bono attorneys.

The recent federal disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Debby in four counties (Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union) in Pennsylvania allows survivors with critical needs and losses to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for “Individual Assistance,” which funds home repairs, property losses, and other allowable requests. Some requests are denied in part or in full, and applicants have a right to appeal these decisions. Get training on the nature of appeals, documentation needed, and the appeals process.

FEMA rules were updated in March 2024 to improve the coverage available, so if you’ve had this training before, you may want an update this year to help survivors of Tropical Storm Debby and be prepared to help those recovering from local and regional disasters.

Presenters:

  • Shrushti Kothari, Esq. is a Disaster Grants Program Counsel in the Office of Program Performance at Legal Services Corporation (LSC). She previously served as Project Manager of National Disaster Content and Resources and as a Staff Attorney in the Disaster Relief Unit at Lone Star Legal Aid in Houston, Texas. She also served as a Subject-Matter Expert and Content Manager for LSC’s multi-partner Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center website and the Disaster Assistance Recovery Tool. Ms. Kothari is a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness and the Vice Director of Implementations ABA Young Lawyers Division’s Disaster Legal Services Program.

  • Charles L. Burrows, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Disaster Relief Attorney, joined LASP in 2022. He is based in the Community Engagement Unit in Norristown. Along with providing direct services in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, his role in the Community Engagement Unit includes conducting outreach, clinics, community education, and workshops. LASP continues to help survivors of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Charles holds a J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. He holds a B.S. in Management and B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, from Penn State Schreyer Honors College. He can be reached at cburrows@lasp.org.

FEMA webpage for Tropical Storm Debby in PA

Earlier Event: October 27
19th Annual Trial Run 5K
Later Event: October 30
MBA Pro Bono Celebration