Monica Vigues-Pitan, executive director of Legal Services of Greater Miami/courtesy photo

Legal Services of Greater Miami executive director Monica Vigues-Pitan wants the community to know the nonprofit is still open for business, especially as unemployment claims soar across the state.

The group is often in the background, supporting South Florida communities in the aftermath of hurricanes. Now, it is working through the coronavirus pandemic, as statewide the weekly unemployment claims in Florida on Saturday reached 222,054, a sharp increase from the week of March 21, which had 74,313 claims, and the previous week's 6,463.

Vigues-Pitan said the system is designed to handle 5,000 unemployment claims at the most.

In response to the surge, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity executive director Ken Lawson signed an order Tuesday to let beneficiaries collect unemployment benefits right away, waiving the previous one-week waiting period.

Vigues-Pitan said when there are changes, confusion follows. That is why she says it is more important than ever for LSGM to provide clarity to the vulnerable population searching for assistance.

What can attorneys do?

1. Help agencies educate the public

"The biggest challenge we are going to have right off the bat is making sure people know their legal rights," Vigues-Pitan said. "There are a lot of new programs and a lot of opportunities for relief, which is great. But it does nothing for the individuals or the small businesses or the small nonprofits that can't take advantage of it because they don't know about it."

2. Respond to calls for help with pro bono work

In preparation for the increasing need for legal services, Vigues-Pitan says the group has been speaking with law firms across the county. It's working to train pro bono attorneys in the specific areas where the community, including small businesses and nonprofits, needs the most help.

3. Donate

If volunteering is not possible, LSGM needs financial support. It is a federally charted services corporation, which means Congress awards money to 140 organizations around the country, including LSGM. But even without the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on the economy, LSGM would still need more resources. Its 30 full-time attorneys are not enough to serve clients across Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

"A lot of people that need legal aid don't get it," Vigues-Pitan said. "But providing legal representation to somebody who needs it can be the most effective use of any dollar, if you are trying to accomplish the end goals."

LSGM accepts intake applications over the phone at (305) 576-0080 and online at www.legalservicesmiami.org/self-help.