Sadly numerous examples of this truth have presented themselves recently, perhaps none more disconcerting than the story of EJ of Cedar Rapids, already a victim of domestic violence and abuse, when she was also visited by natural disaster.

EJ and her husband were in a marriage of nine years that was deteriorating quickly as a result of his continued physical and emotional abuse when the order to evacuate the home they were contract purchasing came on June 11th 2008. Within days the raging floodwaters had engulfed EJ’s home and made catastrophic an already intolerable situation.

Finding herself and her children in an abusive relationship, and now temporarily homeless was more than EJ would any longer tolerate and she asked her husband to find housing elsewhere. He purchased a trailer while EJ and the children remained with family and friends. Within a few days unfortunately the abuse resumed and it was then that EJ sought the assistance of Iowa Legal Aid.

When she spoke with the attorney she had two immediate needs of assistance. Not only did she need help in filing a civil protective order, but the floods had created another immediate concern as well. By this time FEMA had authorized payment to the family to begin to address the extensive damage to the home. The payment had been directed to EJ’s husband’s account which he steadfastly refused to allow EJ access, so that need repairs might begin.

Iowa Legal Aid represented EJ in a hearing in late June, securing for her a protective order and an injunction against her husband spending the money for any purpose other than repair of the home.

While this began to address her most urgent needs, the disaster which pressed so many low-income victims ever closer to the edge held more challenges in store for EJ, and Iowa Legal Aid could help her find assistance with many of them.

Prior to the flood, EJ’s source of income was the operation of an in-home daycare, now a complete impossibility. Iowa Legal Aid helped her secure “disaster unemployment” benefits to sustain her and the children while she sought and secured income. Additionally she was helped in securing numerous community resources that would provide relief in feeding and clothing the children as well as providing them the trauma counseling to cope with their new fears of rain storms and rising water.

And of course, EJ herself found support in both the domestic violence and disaster related mental health counseling Iowa Legal Aid was able to facilitate by referral.

For EJ and her children, recovery remains a goal. Iowa Legal Aid will continue to represent her in protecting her interests in the FEMA funds paid her husband, as well as her eventual dissolution of marriage.

 Working together the staff of Iowa Legal Aid and EJ will build hope for an abuse free future in a restored home where she and her children can flourish and grow to their full potential and where justice will prevail where violence and flood waters once conspired to rob them of their dignity.

 

KE is an older Iowan living on only $100/month income and supported in part by her children. She resides in subsidized housing in Mason City, where her $30/month apartment received extensive damage during the June flooding in that community.

Many of KE’s possessions were destroyed and the apartment, though not destroyed, was made uninhabitable by the stench and growing mold problem. KE sought assistance from FEMA but was denied on the grounds of her having renters insurance, which had also denied her claim.

Iowa Legal Aid advised this elderly Iowan of relevant provisions of landlord tenant law and encouraged her to appeal FEMA decision. KE’s case was placed with a volunteer attorney in the community to further assist her road to recovery and the protection of her interests.

ML is an elderly Iowan in poor health living in a mobile home in rural Wapello County. The mobile home was in poor condition even prior to the flood, with a leaking roof leading to some water related damage in the relentless rains of the early summer of 08. Flood waters then rose to further complicate ML’s life, damaging his home along with some of his possessions in nearby outbuildings. 

Stress, age, and poor health likely combined to challenge ML’s ability to work with his insurance company and with FEMA. The result was that neither was stepping forward to help ML. ML was experiencing increasing anguish and confusion, often having difficulty relating the details to Iowa Legal Aid staff. Iowa Legal Aid intervened to clarify the insurance company’s position and to author an appeal to FEMA. The appeal is now pending.

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In 1999 an elderly very low-income Iowa couple received minor flood damage to their home. At that time they applied for FEMA assistance and were awarded $600 in damages. They were also advised that FEMA would withhold $200 of the award in order to purchase three years flood insurance on the couple’s behalf, a FEMA requirement. The couple never received verification of the flood insurance and spent a year contacting FEMA, and their elected representatives at the state and federal level trying to confirm that they had the required insurance. Ultimately they simply gave up and moved on.

The floods of 2008 destroyed their home and all of their property except for two changes of clothing. Likewise all correspondence around the 1999 flood was destroyed.

Their application to FEMA for assistance was denied on the grounds that they do not have the required flood insurance.

This couple, almost totally wiped out by the flood, is now living with their daughter. Elderly, poor and devastated they struggle to find their way through the bureaucracy to whatever hope for normalcy they may again achieve.

Iowa Legal Aid had agreed to work with them, coordinating communication with their Congressman’s office as well as overseeing an appeal to FEMA.

A 73 year old Iowan living independently in a small town experienced multiple losses in the floods of 08. Her home, a historic family home, a small business and five other properties sustained significant damage, to the point that the home was unlivable and perhaps totaled. She had been successful in securing some initial support from FEMA, although it was less than the maximum allowable, and had found suitable temporary living quarters.

At this point however the issues she confronted came to simply overwhelm her and she reached out to the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans. Iowa Legal Aid has been able to help her focus on the steps she needs to take systematically and has filed an appeal with FEMA on her behalf.

 

The stories and testimonies of those proud Iowans looking to create a better life for their families

An at-work injury had left Emily* unable to perform her normal job at a nearby meatpacking plant where she worked on an ‘assembly line’.  Emily is the primary caregiver for her two young grandchildren and she returned to work, needing the paycheck to assure her families economic stability, and hoping to be assigned ‘light duty’ consistent with her doctor’s orders. 

Unfortunately her employer insisted upon her returning to her normal duties, which she did to provide for her family.  Over the next several months she was absent three times for a doctor’s appointment or due to the continuing pain.  On an unscheduled Saturday, when she was told she would have to work, she could not find childcare for her grandchildren and was absent also.  This made four absences in five months and Emily was fired by her employer who subsequently contested her unemployment claim.

Iowa Legal Aid represented this working grandmother in an attempt to stabilize her home and protect her grandchildren on the path to their true potential.  The Judge concurred with Emily and Iowa Legal Aid and her unemployment benefits were allowed while she sought another means to support her family.

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While receiving job training as a means to improve her life and the lives of her children, JB* was living in an apartment with the assistance of a federal subsidy.  Her concerns about the nearly uninhabitable apartment were ignored until the landlord attempted an illegal eviction.  This would also have meant a termination of her subsidy which would have made paying rent impossible on her income and would have been the end of her efforts to improve herself.  An Iowa Legal Aid attorney successfully prevented their homelessness by getting the unfair eviction action dismissed.  JB and her children were able to transition into safer and more habitable conditions shortly thereafter. 

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Jill’s sister, who held Jill’s power of attorney, approached Iowa Legal Aid.  Jill* was terminally ill with cancer and gravely concerned for the future of her four children.  Jill feared that after her passing their drug-dealing biological father might attempt to claim custody.  With the help of an Iowa Legal Aid attorney Jill, who could not have otherwise afforded an attorney, was able to execute a Will which specified her desire to have her children raised by her family at her death.  Sadly, Jill is now gone, but she left knowing that she had done all that she could for her children to provide them an opportunity to achieve their true potential.

*Not our clients real names

I just wanted to take a minute to say “thank you!”

Thank you to the receptionist that took the intake information...
Thank you to the lawyer that took the case information...
Thank you to the attorney that went to court with me and kept me calm. 
Thank you all for listening without judging me, for explaining everything that was happening and going to happen.
Above all else, for not letting me just give in and have someone take advantage of me.  For giving me a voice.  You fought for me and I will always remember and appreciate that most of all.  
Again, thank you all!!

  -An Iowa Legal Aid Client in 2007

Thank you for everything, it changed my life for good.  – A central Iowa client 6/07

Now I’m divorced from an abuser! – Northeast Iowa Regional Office client 4/07

I was made to feel like a human being once again.  When you reach my age of 77, I think you will find out that people and life pass you by.  On a very limited Social Security income it is impossible to be able to pay for help. I am deeply grateful for your help and understanding – A Southwest Iowa Regional Client.  4/07

Now we can all begin to feel safe and heal, Your office in Mason City provides excellent service. – A Northcentral Iowa client 4/07

They made me feel it was not my fault and I did deserve respect.  I know not to be afraid.  That people like Legal Aid and the law do help and do care.  The person harassing me has not bothered me or my children.  We are Free! –Client from Southwest Iowa 1/07