Thank you to all the volunteer attorneys and clinic participants that came out to our first Veterans legal advice clinic of the year. If you couldn't make it, don't worry we have another one coming up on May 19, 2022 from 1:00-4:00pm at the Central Branch of the Seminole County Library located at 215 N. Oxford Rd., Casselberry, FL 32707.

Our dedicated staff and volunteer attorneys will be there every third Thursday of the month to answer any legal questions you may have about family law cases and housing rights.

For more information, please contact Denice Garza at deniceg@scbalas.com

After a successful first Veterans Legal Advice Clinic, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the attorneys that volunteered their time at our clinic on April 21st.

We are so grateful to the Honorable Carmine Bravo, Karen Estry, and J. Marc Jones for coming down to the Central Branch library to meet with former service members about their various legal issues. It is only with your support that we are able to provide such an essential service to Seminole County Residents. Additionally, we would like to thank Senator Marco Rubio's office and his representative Ryleigh Wogoman for joining us!

We provide free legal advice and counsel to survivors of domestic violence in Seminole County with family law matters including dissolution of marriage, paternity, and time-sharing issues. Our Attorneys seek to achieve just outcomes that improve the lives of families and children and to promote the prevention of domestic abuse through community education to alert at risk population as to their rights, best practices to secure their safety, and the resources available in the community to safeguard them.

If you would like an appointment to apply for services, place call (407) 834-1660 or email administrator@scbalas.com.

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

It's not too late to make an impact in our community. We ask you to please join us in our efforts to maintain the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in Seminole County by donating your time and talents to help a disenfranchised person(s) with their legal needs or by providing an in lieu of service monetary donation to help support our legal program. Below is a link to our 2022 Pro Bono Registration form for your consideration. Click here to let us know how you plan to impact the Seminole County community. If you are unable to donate time, click here to give in lieu of service.

Upcoming Tax Free Holidays you don't want to miss!

When it comes to disaster preparedness, most people in Florida think of flashlights, hurricane snacks, and bottles of water, things that you need to sustain your family through the storm. But what about protecting your home and other belongings?

Before hurricane season begins, its important to review your insurance policy and be sure that your coverage is up-to-date as well as understand your hurricane deductible. Additionally, if you haven't purchased flood insurance, this would be a good time to consider this coverage, even if you don't live in a flood zone. Beyond that, you want to ensure that you know where these documents are and send backups to your email accounts in case the originals are lost or damaged.

Along with copies of your insurance policy, you'll also want to secure other important documents in a waterproof container and send copies to your online accounts for safekeeping. Some documents you may need include the title to your home and/or cars, birth certificates, etc. Experts also recommend cataloging your belongings which can be done by taking videos and pictures of your home. For electronic devices, it is important to note down the serial number for the device in case of damage.

The weather has cleared, the power is back, and children have returned to school, what do you do?

If there is damage to your home, file a claim. It is important that you file your claim as soon as possible and that you file it yourself. Shortly after a storm, contractors may come door to door offering their services and insisting they will make the claim for you. While it may be a convenient way to lessen your load, it is smarter to file the claim yourself, even if you are unsure of the extent of the damage as you can modify your claim later. Additionally, before making any emergency repairs to severely damaged property, document the damage through pictures and videos to show to your adjuster once they are assigned.

Following a disaster, as you file your insurance claim, you may find yourself confused by the process or what avenues you have to ensure that your insurance company is compliant with the deadlines that govern them. Look no further than the office of Insurance Consumer Advocate which was established in 1992 to protect Florida's insurance consumers.

The office's primary role is to educate insurance consumers on their rights, examine rate and form filings submitted to the Office of Insurance Regulation, and recommend actions to the Legislature, Department and Office of Insurance Regulation. For more information on their services, click here and to speak to the office of Insurance Consumer Advocate call (850) 413-5923.

Be wary of contractors that:

The Disaster Preparedness tax-free holiday is May 28, 2022 to June 10, 2022. You'll be able to get anything from flashlights and lanterns costing $40 or less to radios costing $50 or less. As well as other necessary items such as tarps costing $100 or less, coolers costing $60 or less, batteries costing $50 or less, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors costing $70 or less, and, generators costing $1,000 or less.

Additionally, Impact resistant windows, doors, etc. will be tax free starting July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. This deal applies to the retail sales of impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors that will help mitigate some of the potential damage done to your property.

As of April 7, 2022, local Social Security offices will begin seeing individuals in-person through appointment or walk-in. In order to avoid the wait, be sure to call or schedule your appointment online.

To find the nearest office and contact information, click here.

Several clinics serve uninsured or low-income patients in locations, such as Altamonte Springs, 407-303-2200; Tavares, 352-253-3333; and Kissimmee, 407-846-4343.

This center offers free heart health care to uninsured and underserved patients in Orlando. Call 407-836-9262.

The faith-based organization offers free health care services, including dental and mental health, to individuals and families in need. Request assistance here.

Serves the uninsured and partners with GoodRX and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to provide free medications to low-income patients. Call 407-420-0492 or visit their website.

This private nonprofit runs clinics in Orange and Lake counties. Call 407-905-8827 or visit their website.

The private nonprofit offers care in Orlando. Call 407-936-2785 or visit their website.

This private nonprofit runs an Orlando clinic, Orange Blossom Family Health and also offers a mobile medical unit and primary care with locations in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Call 407-428-5751 or visit their website.

Provides an option to search for health care for uninsured and under-insured people by city and state or zip code at their website.

Provides free care to uninsured, at-risk middle and high schoolers in Orange County. For an appointment call 321-842-1767.

This website matches low-income patients with resources that may make their prescriptions more affordable. Click here to search for resources.

Partnership of private groups, Orange County government, hospitals and others. Guides uninsured and Medicaid patients to services. Call 407-836-7226 or visit their website.

Shepherd’s Hope: Provides care to uninsured and under-insured at various locations in Orange and Seminole. Call 407-876-6699 or visit their website.

Low-income individuals or people with other qualifying conditions can apply for Medicaid or other assistance from the state at this link.