March 2020 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER / March 2020

TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT FOR SCLS OFFICES: 
To protect the health and safety of our clients, staff and visitors, all South Carolina Legal Services offices are temporarily not open to the public. You can apply for legal services by calling our intake office at 888-346-5592 or online.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS:
If you became unemployed because of COVID-19, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
– Answers to common questions.
– Does your situation entitle you to unemployment benefits?
– Instructions that walk you through the application process.

SCHOOLS:
All South Carolina public schools are closed through April 30. S.C. Department of Education has a map of food sites where you may be able to pick up meals for your children while they are not in school.

FOOD, HOUSING AND BENEFITS:
– Find a food pantry or food bank near you.
– Meals on Wheels America delivers food to seniors.
– Find a homeless shelter in your area.
– If you’re having trouble paying rent, see a list of agencies that may be able to help. Although evictions have temporarily been suspended, you are still responsible for paying your rent on time.
– Information from our public benefits unit on getting help with food, medical care and more.

CONSUMER HELP:
– Common COVID-19-related scams and how you can avoid them.
– Resources from Consumer Protection Bureau to help protect your finances during the coronavirus pandemic.

MORE FREE RESOURCES:
From details on court closings to information on student loan help for students and parents, we have more free resources to help you during these difficult times.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

March is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. If you are a parent/guardian of a student who might have a learning disability, the Education Unit at SCLS would like you to know the following information. A child with a “specific learning disability” is entitled to free special education services at their home school district. If your child is consistently underperforming on state tests and/or is struggling in basic subjects like math or English Language Arts, they might have a learning disability. The following information will help you get the service your child needs.

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5 FACTS ABOUT THE FAIR HOUSING ACT

The Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) was enacted during the Civil Rights Movement following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 5, 1968.  This is why April has been designated as the month when we remember the FHA.  It is a federal law, intended to limit discriminatory practices in the sale and rental of housing and ensure equal access to homeownership, regardless of class. The states have adopted similar acts.  In 1989, South Carolina adopted the Fair Housing Law (S.C. Code §§ 31-21-10, et. seq), and it largely parrots the language of the FHA.

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