Legal Questions? Call WNC COVID Legal Hotline May 2, 2020 8 am - 2 pm

Buncombe County -- Buncombe County Government: From Pisgah Legal Services

Western North Carolinians can call the WNC COVID Legal Hotline at (828) 560-3700 and talk to a lawyer for free on Thursday, May 21 between 8 a.m.-2 p.m.  The Buncombe County Bar, Pisgah Legal Services, Legal Aid of NC, and the North Carolina Bar Foundation have joined together to host this hotline.

Callers can speak to a lawyer about issues related to housing, bills/debt, unemployment insurance, health insurance, safety from abuse, stimulus checks, public benefits, and other basic needs. Small business owners and nonprofit leaders can also call to get legal information and advice about challenges related to the pandemic.

Need Legal Help Before May 21?

The Hotline number listed above will only be answered on May 21 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Individuals with low incomes who need legal assistance before May 21 can call:

Pisgah Legal Services at 1-(800) 489-6144 during regular business hours or apply online for assistance anytime.
Legal Aid of North Carolina at 1-(866) 219-LANC (5262) or apply online.
Pisgah Legal Services and Legal Aid of NC provide free civil legal aid to North Carolinians living in poverty who have a legal problem related to meeting their basic needs.

Individuals who do not qualify for free services through Pisgah Legal or Legal Aid of NC can call the NC Lawyer Referral Service at 1-(800) 662-7660 for a 30-minute legal consultation for $50 or seek help with their legal question through NC Free Legal Answers at www.nc.freelegalanswers.org.

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers Attorneys Needed

We need attorneys to provide free legal information and advice to callers affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Attorneys can sign up for a 2-hour shift to answer questions related to housing (for renters & homeowners), bills or debt, unemployment insurance, health insurance, personal safety, stimulus checks, public benefits, and other basic needs matters. Attorneys are also needed to take calls from small business owners and nonprofit executives who are facing challenges due to the pandemic.

Answer calls from your home or office (through easy-to-use app).
Information provided to attorneys related to COVID-related matters, including expanded unemployment benefits, stimulus checks and resources for business owners.
Designate which legal matters you want to advise on.
Malpractice insurance provided by the NC Bar Foundation.
Questions? Contact: Emily Dezio, emily@emilysuttondezio.com, Cellor text 828-242-6754 (texting preferred) 

Volunteer Call Operators

We need volunteers to answer calls and gather basic information (name & legal problem) in order to direct caller to the appropriate attorney. No legal background necessary.

 Please sign up for a 2-hour shift as a call screener.

Answer calls from your home or office (through easy-to-use app).
Brief (20 minute) orientation/training provided.
Spanish speakers needed.
Questions? Contact: Katie Russell Miller, katierm@pisgahlegal.org, 210-3420