Client Stories Archives - Page 4 of 15 - Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

Born at home in 1938, woman lacking birth certificate gets an ID with JALA’s help

Born at home in 1938, woman lacking birth certificate gets an ID with JALA’s help

“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.

Dennis Harrison2022-06-15T10:34:30-04:00June 15th, 2022|Client Stories, Family Law|

JALA helps senior remain in her home, corrects landlord’s illegal retroactive rent increase

JALA helps senior remain in her home, corrects landlord’s illegal retroactive rent increase

“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.

Dennis Harrison2022-06-15T10:05:19-04:00June 15th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

With JALA’s help, single mother successfully appeals to keep her re-employment benefits

With JALA’s help, single mother successfully appeals to keep her re-employment benefits

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.

Dennis Harrison2022-04-27T14:45:26-04:00April 27th, 2022|Client Stories|

JALA helps veteran get more time with his sons after their mother moves out of state

JALA helps veteran get more time with his sons after their mother moves out of state

“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.

Dennis Harrison2022-04-27T13:59:38-04:00April 27th, 2022|Client Stories, Family Law, Veterans Services|

JALA helps woman recover pet fee wrongly charged for emotional support animal

JALA helps woman recover pet fee wrongly charged for emotional support animal

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.

Dennis Harrison2022-04-11T11:53:09-04:00April 11th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA attorney helps senior stay in his home and obtain desperately needed repairs

JALA attorney helps senior stay in his home and obtain desperately needed repairs

“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.

Dennis Harrison2022-04-11T11:59:28-04:00March 31st, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA helps mother and daughter escape extreme violence at home

JALA helps mother and daughter escape extreme violence at home

“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.

Dennis Harrison2022-02-25T12:17:57-05:00February 25th, 2022|Client Stories, Family Law, VOCA|

JALA helps man with respiratory problems resolve mold issue in his unit

JALA helps man with respiratory problems resolve mold issue in his unit

“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.

Dennis Harrison2022-02-25T11:53:16-05:00February 25th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|

JALA helps Navy veteran with custody issue to enable her to reenlist

JALA helps Navy veteran with custody issue to enable her to reenlist

Navy veteran Brianna Rebecca Brown sought to reenlist in the U.S. Navy, but due to a Department of Defense policy for single parents, she was required to have a parenting plan and guardian for minor children while on deployment or mobilization. Specifically, the U.S. Navy Recruiter told Brown she was going to need a Single Parent Waiver to reenter the military. Her daughter’s father was listed on the child’s birth certificate, so the Navy required her to have an official document indicating she had the sole authority to make decisions for daughter, even though the father had not been involved in the child’s life.

Dennis Harrison2022-01-27T16:09:01-05:00January 27th, 2022|Client Stories, Family Law, Veterans Services|

Man with disabilities gets permission to make needed modifications to his apartment

Man with disabilities gets permission to make needed modifications to his apartment

“Jonathan” was displaced from his home after it was destroyed in a fire. Through his insurance, his family was placed in an apartment complex while they decide whether to rebuild or move. Jonathan has physical disabilities, including quadriplegia, so he needed a number of modifications to the new apartment, including a keyless entry door lock, a Wi-Fi-capable thermostat, and a door handle to replace the knob on his back patio door. Unfortunately, he and his wife were unable to get permission from the property management to make the necessary modifications to the apartment.

Dennis Harrison2022-01-27T15:19:44-05:00January 27th, 2022|Client Stories, Fair Housing|