The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help with your energy bills and emergency furnace repairs. Eligibility for help is based on income and resource limits. If your household receives SNAP, SSI, or TANF benefits, you may automatically qualify for assistance. Both homeowners and renters may apply for these programs. For more information …
Safety Planning
If you have been thinking about ways to stay safe, we have an article to help you begin forming a safety plan: Safety Planning for Victims of Domestic Violence. A safety plan is a set of actions that can help lower your risk of future harm. You know your situation best- trust your judgment and …
Scams on the Rise
1. Fake shipping notification scams: Don’t click on links in messages about an unexpected delivery. Scammers use these to steal your personal information. 2. Open enrollment scams: Beware of ads offering free things like phones, gas cards, or cash for enrolling in a health insurance plan. These are often fraudulent. 3. Online shopping: Before buying …
Are you making an agreement for something such as a home repair, buying or selling a vehicle, or a living situation?
Make sure to get your agreement in writing! If something goes wrong, people who do not have written documents are often left without legal recourse. In court, you need documents to prove an agreement exists. If there’s a dispute (like who owns a car or house), just saying it isn’t enough. You need a document …
Rights and Risks Under the Missoula Camping Ordinace
The Missoula Camping Ordinance was created to address the increase in unsheltered individuals camping in public areas in Missoula County. In response to a high number of questions about the ordinance coming in, we put together an article to help folks understand the rights and risks under the ordinance. In the article you’ll find answers …
Did you know your landlord cannot legally shut off your heat?
Snow is beginning to fall and temps are dropping across the state, which means it is time to remind everyone about your utility shut off rights. Your landlord must maintain utilities like heat, running water, electricity, and gas. You have rights if your landlord shuts off your utilities. Learn about your options in our article …
What to do after you’ve been served.
Take a deep breath. Read all the papers. The papers will tell you what the case is about and what you need to do. The sooner you read the court papers, the faster you can take action. It is important that you do not wait because court cases have strict deadlines. Learn more in our …
Address Confidentiality
No, you can ask the court to keep your address private. In our article How to Keep Your Address Confidential on Order of Protection Forms, you can find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about address confidentiality as well as links to resources to help you with safety planning. Need more help? MLSA provides free civil …
Did you know that it is illegal for debt collectors to abuse, harass, or lie to you?
A debt collector can contact you by phone, text, or email about a debt you don’t think you owe or can’t afford to pay. But there are certain actions that can be illegal for a debt collector to do. If a debt collector breaks the law, you might have a legal claim against them. Visit …
Fair Hearing Process: Administrative Reviews
An Administrative Review is the first step of the Fair Hearing Process. It is an informal phone call where you can talk to someone from the Office of Public Assistance (OPA) about your case before the Fair Hearing happens. It’s a chance for you to explain why you think there was a mistake with your …