Lipscomb University’s Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice & Society will host a free legal advice clinic tomorrow from 9 to 10 a.m. to offer free legal advice for those who have insurance and housing questions in the wake of last week's tornadoes. The clinic will take place at Schrader Lane Church of Christ, 1234 Schrader Lane, Nashville 37208. For more information or to volunteer contact Susan T. Jones.

The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation announced today that phone and internet service has been restored to its Cookeville office and operations will return to normal. Those with questions or who need to schedule an appointment should call 931-520-4290.

Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands will hold a free legal clinic in hard-hit North Nashville on March 19. The clinic will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, 1035 14th Ave. N., Nashville 37208. Contact Andrae Crismon for more information. Tornado survivors needing immediate legal assistance can call 1-844-HELP4TN or ask questions through the Tennessee Free Legal Answers online service. See a list of all clinics being held to help tornado survivors. Volunteers are needed to provide legal information, advice, and representation to those affected by the recent storms. Attorneys interested in volunteering should complete this online form.

A toll-free legal assistance hotline is now available to support survivors of recent tornadoes in Middle Tennessee. Low-income individuals facing legal issues as a result of the tornadoes may call 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486). Callers should identify that they are seeking tornado-related legal assistance, state their county of residence, and provide a phone number where they can be reached by an attorney. Survivors also can ask legal questions through the Tennessee Free Legal Answers online service, and get information about their rights, available resources, and a list of upcoming legal clinics at www.HELP4TN.org. The toll-free hotline is a partnership between the Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Nashville Bar Association, Napier-Looby Bar Association, Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association, 15th Judicial District Bar Association, Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands and Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts. Read more in this press release.

Volunteers are needed to provide legal information, advice, and representation to those affected by the recent storms. Attorneys interested in volunteering should complete this online form.

Businesses and homeowners impacted by last week’s tornado have extra time to file their taxes, the Internal Revenue Service announced Friday. Those impacted by the storm in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties now have until July 15 to file their taxes. The new date applies to individual income tax returns, quarterly estimated income tax payments and quarterly payroll and excise tax returns.

As Putnam County residents continue to deal with the damage from last Tuesday’s tornado, attorneys with the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands offered free legal assistance Saturday at two locations in Cookeville. The Cookeville Herald Citizen has coverage of those efforts. Andrae Crismon with Legal Aid also told the paper that two other clinics will be held this week. Legal Aid will hold a clinic Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Double Springs Church of Christ, 4665 Norton Dr., Cookeville 38501. The Upper Cumberland Bar Association will hold a clinic on March 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Putnam County Justice Center, 421 E Spring St, Ste 1D, Cookeville 38501.

The Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein have created the “Trial Lawyers’ Community Relief Fund” through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to assist tornado victims. TTLA President Matt Hardin, who grew up in hard-hit Putnam County, said Tennesseans “always pull together and help our neighbors in difficult times.” Mark Chalos, TTLA vice president and managing partner of Lieff Cabraser’s Nashville office said, “As trial lawyers, we have dedicated our careers to helping our neighbors in times of need. This fund will enable us to get relief quickly to those Tennesseans who need it the most.” Contributions to the fund can be made online or mailed to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, P.O. Box 440225, Nashville, TN 37244. Please note the name of the fund in the memo line. Read more in a press release from the groups.

The Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims reported today that its Nashville office is now open and because of the closure last week will be handling settlement approvals from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. each day this week. No need to call or schedule. Just show up! The office in Cookeville is also open but has no Internet or phone service. All previously-scheduled settlement approvals and telephone hearings will proceed. For questions, contact Patsy Bumbalough, 615-848-6743, in the Murfreesboro office.

Attorneys who are interested in helping handle disaster-related legal questions are asked to register at www.tba.org/tornado_volunteers. To help lawyers prepare to volunteer, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands has created this online resource. Disaster victims also can find resources on the site and may seek legal assistance at any of the Legal Aid Society's 14 legal clinics planned throughout the month in Davidson and Putnam counties.

President Donald Trump has approved federal assistance for victims of Tuesday's tornado in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties, the Tennessean reports. Individuals can now register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, which can provide initial funding for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Rental payments also are available for those whose homes are unlivable. In addition, FEMA offers low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance, and up to 75% of costs to replace personal property not covered by insurance. Funds are also available to meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation, unemployment and other disaster-related costs. In addition to individual assistance, small businesses and non-profit organizations can take advantage of loans. For more information call 800-621-3362.