A cancer patient avoids paying illegal and expensive utility bills.
Elizabeth, a three-time cancer survivor currently receiving treatment due to a recurrence of the disease, reached out to Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc. (LSCD) for help because of rapidly rising utility costs for her rental unit. Before seeking help, Elizabeth tried to solve the problem on her own, in this case by cutting back on her heat and electric usage, going so far as to turn the heat off for full days in the peak of winter. Despite these efforts, the bills continued to increase. Elizabeth has a limited fixed income plus significant medical expenses related to her treatment, and the utility increases were a significant drain on her financial stability. An attorney at LSCD carefully reviewed months of utility statements, lease documents, and toured the apartment building. They discovered that Elizabeth was being charged for gas usage in the common areas of the property, above and beyond what was being billed to the meter assigned to her unit. After an unsuccessful attempt to settle with the landlord, LSCD filed a complaint alleging illegal fees and violations of consumer protection laws. After months of litigation, Elizabeth won her case.
Due to legal protection for seniors, Elizabeth was eligible to receive a payment equal to twice the amount she had paid in improper utility charges. More importantly, the terms of settlement confirmed that she would no longer be charged the illegal fees and that there would be consequences if the practice of charging her for public spaces continued. This outcome offered Elizabeth financial stability and the peace of mind to focus on her medical treatment instead of worrying about her next utility bill.
A survivor of domestic violence obtains a protective order for her family.
Logan, a client of Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc. (DVLS), is a survivor of severe and prolonged domestic violence perpetrated by her former romantic partner. Throughout their relationship, the abuser subjected Logan to ongoing emotional, psychological, and coercive abuse, creating an environment of fear and control within their household.
Although she bravely ended the relationship several years ago, the abuse did not stop. This continuation of abuse happens often to victims and survivors of domestic violence who share children, pets, or other significant tethers with their abusers. The abuser continued to harass, threaten, and intimidate her long after the separation, using persistent contact and legal manipulation as tools to maintain power and control. This pattern of behavior extended to their children, who were also exposed to and affected by the ongoing abuse, placing their emotional well‑being and sense of security at risk.
Recognizing the need to break free from this cycle and provide her children with a safer, more stable future, Logan pursued an opportunity to rebuild their lives in another state. Relocation offered not only physical distance from their abuser, but also access to a more supportive environment, improved resources, and a chance for Logan to heal and the children to grow up free from continued trauma.
With the assistance of one of DVLS’s dedicated volunteer attorneys, Logan successfully navigated the legal system to obtain court permission to relocate and formalize sole custody. This outcome represented a significant turning point for the family, allowing her to protect her children from further harm and begin the process of recovery and renewal. The legal advocacy provided by DVLS was instrumental in ensuring long‑term safety, stability, and healing for the family.
A senior with disabilities resolves a benefits issue that allows him to afford food and medicine.
Henry contacted Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) because his disability benefits were terminated. Henry was without benefits for 8 months due to no fault of his own. The stated reason for the termination of benefits was that the Social Security Administration (SSA) alleged he was engaged in substantial work activity (SGA) and that he owed the administration $48,556.70. Henry had filed an appeal and had gone to SSA several times before seeking legal assistance because he thought he could navigate the system himself. However, SSA continued to claim that Henry had been exceeding the amount that he could work while still retaining benefits, even when Henry showed that part of the income SSA was counting did not belong to him. His legal aid attorney went with him to his SSA appointment a few weeks ago. The worker at the SSA appointment stated she did not typically handle this type of case, and that was not the reason for the appointment, but agreed to help. Just last week, he received a notice of a favorable decision that he is not engaged in any work activity that would terminate his benefits, and his income/work record was updated. It takes 30 days for the payment center to update a work record, so in the meantime, his legal aid attorney helped him to obtain a one-month critical payment from SSA.
With a legal aid attorney by his side, Henry will receive the benefit he is entitled to. He will be able to pay his rent, obtain medical care, and buy food. Without legal assistance, Henry would have suffered severe consequences that were the result of a bureaucratic mistake.
