Vermont Legal Aid is coming to Pittsfield to offer a FREE legal clinic on Wednesday, October 5. Legal Aid has partnered with Legal Services Law Line, the Vermont Volunteer Lawyers Project, and the Vermont Bar Association to provide information, advocacy, and representation for individuals and families facing legal issues stemming from the disaster. Anyone with a flood-related legal issue, either from Pittsfield or neighboring towns, is encouraged to attend. Attorney Jessica Radbord will discuss the legal issues disaster victims are facing, and what sort of assistance may be available. Individuals and families needing greater assistance will be offered referrals to address their needs. If you are unable to attend, but have any legal concerns related to the flood, please call the Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline at 1-800-889-2047.

Issues to be addressed include:

· FEMA benefits, SBA Loans, disaster unemployment insurance, and other federal benefits available to disaster survivors

· Property insurance claims

· Home repair contracts and contractors, including price-gouging

· Replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster

· Landlord-tenant problems

· Mortgage and foreclosure issues