January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Connecting the Dots. Strengthening Communities. Preventing Trafficking. Everyone has the right to live and work safely. No one has the right to force someone to work or have sex for money, food, shelter, or safety- not family, friends, or partners. No one. This month, we raise awareness about human …
A fresh start is possible! MLSA is hosting free Clean Slate Clinics in Helena, Bozeman, and Billings March 24-28 to help low-income Montanans expunge old misdemeanor convictions from their criminal records. Phone appointments are also available! Pre-register to secure your spot at https://bit.ly/CleanSlateMT You can find more information about eligibility and next steps for how …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
