After attending several outreach events conducted by JALA’s Veteran’s Service Unit, “Chuck,” a 72-year-old Duval County Veteran, came to JALA for help defending against a garnishment in small claims court. Attorney Declan Duffy of JALA’s Veterans Service Unit determined that Chuck was collection-proof, as the household’s only income was VA disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
“Sebastian,” 75, and his wife, “Elena,” 74, came to JALA for help after the property manager at their HUD-subsidized apartment in Middleburg, Fla, told them they could not leave Elena’s power mobility device near the entrance to their apartment. She needs the scooter to get around, while Sebastian uses a walker, and the couple also have a wheelchair van to assist with their mobility. Due to their disabilities, both are only able to walk short distances at a time. Unfortunately, their apartment is on a long hallway, and when they leave home, they have a long walk to get to the elevator and then to the parking lot. Sebastian would park Elena’s scooter, get their van, and then help Elena into it. He would then usually leave the scooter somewhere close to the door, rather than bringing it all the way back to their unit.
“Cyneetha,” 83, called JALA’s office for help obtaining a valid ID, as her old identification card was expired, and she was struggling to conduct routine activities without a current ID. Cyneetha had attempted to renew her FL Driver's License in 2020, but the DMV required her to produce a birth certificate to issue a REAL ID, and she didn’t have one. Cyneetha was born at home in South Carolina in 1938, and her family did not obtain a birth certificate at the time of the home birth.
“Chanel,” 72, was living in a privately owned HUD multifamily complex when her landlord retroactively increased her rent and threatened eviction if she did not pay in full. Fearing she would end up homeless, Chanel turned to JALA, where attorney Mollie Stewart handled her case. When increasing a tenant's rent, HUD requires all participating landlords to follow certain procedures, including proper notice of rent changes.
A single mother of two small children, “Denisha” came to JALA after she received a notice from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) that she was overpaid $4,600 in unemployment benefits. Denisha had worked as a dental assistant in an office with six employees. After the pandemic started in March of 2020, the dentist cut the staff in half, even when new COVID health and safety measures required additional work for the staff. The dentist was placing extraordinary and unreasonable demands on staff, creating a hostile working environment. By November 2020, Denisha felt she had no choice but to resign. At that time she applied for and was approved for unemployment compensation benefits, which are now recognized as Re-employment Assistance benefits managed by the DEO.
“Bobby,” a Clay County veteran, turned to JALA’s Veterans Services Unit for help with several family law issues related to visitation after the mother of his three boys moved to Georgia with the children in violation of the terms of their divorce. Staff attorney Declan Duffy engaged in extensive litigation over several months, petitioning for a modification of child support and motioning for the return of the children. Duffy was able to help Bobby get an extra weekend each month with his sons, as well as a reduction in child support from $1,800 a month to $1,270 a month.
When “Marcy,” who has a disability, moved into a private apartment with her mother’s help, she had her emotional support dog with her. She later received a notice from her property manager saying that she had to pay a $500 pet fee. Although she notified the property manager that the dog was an emotional support animal and not a pet, she was still asked to pay the $500 pet fee.
“Lester,” a man in his 70s who had been renting his home for over 30 years, was surprised to receive a notice from his landlord saying he had 10 days to leave his home or else he would be evicted. His landlord claimed he owed $1,300, but Lester had always paid his rent on time. Afraid of losing his long-time home, made affordable to him through a federal rental subsidy, Lester came to JALA for help. Lester enjoyed the continuity of his home in a quiet neighborhood near his doctor’s appointments. He did not want to move.
“Becky” met the man of her dreams when she was 14 and he was 18. When she was old enough, they got married. But soon, things changed. First came name calling, which made her feel worthless. He told her he was the only person who would ever love her, and she believed it. Soon, Becky had to learn how to cover up bruises to more than her ego. She was in a nightmare she couldn't leave, because she had no money or work experience. And she had a baby.
“Jaquan,” who has a disability and lives in public housing, was having problems with the conditions of his apartment and that of his neighbor as the result of faulty air conditioning units. His own air conditioning unit filled up with mold and mildew, and his neighbor’s leaked down into his apartment through the ceiling and walls, causing further mold and mildew.
