I need legal help
Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) provides a range of legal and other assistance services.
Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm.
Ph: 03 9481 0355 Rural Callers: 1800 094 164
When you call the Legal Assistance Line a SSRV staff member will speak to you about the reason for your call and either provide information to you on the spot or book you in for a legal appointment, depending on your issue.
We understand that calling is not possible or difficult for some people. If you are unable to call, you can click here to send SSRV a request for assistance and we will get in touch with you directly by phone as soon as possible. Please indicate in your message if you need us to communicate with you in writing.
We welcome calls through the National Relay Service (NRS), if you are deaf, have a hearing impairment and/or have a speech impairment. Choose your access options (information here) and provide our phone number – 0419 793 652 or (03) 94810355 – when asked by the Relay Officer.
If you do not speak English and need an interpreter to assist with your call, you can access one by calling the Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450 and telling them the language you speak. You can ask the TIS operator to call us on 0419 793 652 and they will connect you with an interpreter and you to our number. If you wish you can call us first and let us know what language you speak , we can also call you back with an interpreter.
Not sure what we can assist with? SSRV can provide information, legal advice or legal assistance about the following types of issues:
- Review rights and options if you have been refused a Centrelink payment or had your payments suspended or cancelled and you do not agree with the decision.
- Centrelink debt waivers and debt recovery issues
- Disability Support Pension eligibility and review pathways.
- Seeking review of Centrelink decisions where you have been impacted by family violence.
- Centrelink payments are review rights for people who have been affected by a disaster, such as bushfire or flood.
- COVID-19 Pandemic specif payments, where you have been refused and do not agree with the decision.
- Compliance requirements, including income reporting, mutual obligation and program of support.
- Centrelink decisions relating to Membership of Couple issues.
- Centrelink decisions relating to income and assets issues.
- Jobkeeper Debts objections,
- Status Resolution Support Payments debt waiver applications.
SSRV lawyers provide a range of further legal assistance services such as assessment of documentation and decisions, negotiation with Centrelink and providing representation at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearings. This assistance is subject to guidelines and availability of resources.
Visit the Resource Centre section of this website to view factsheets that may help you to understand your rights and obligations, and to resolve some problems with Centrelink.
This section also includes links to other useful resources and organisations.
SSRV has created an online resource to help applicants access the Disability Support Pension (DSP): DSP Help.
DSP Help includes information about:
- What the DSP is and what eligibility criteria must be met
- How the DSP is assessed
- How to gather medical evidence to support an application
- How to apply for the DSP
- What to do if your application is rejected
DSP Help includes a medical evidence chatbot. This can be used to generate a personalised Medical Evidence Kit you can take to your doctors/specialists to assist them in supporting your application with medical evidence.
Guidelines for Bushfire Legal Support are here.
We welcome feedback and will deal with complaints in an open and fair way. In order to provide legal advice and assistance, we will need to ask you for some personal information. Protecting your privacy and personal information is an important part of how we manage our services. Social Security Rights Victoria has obligations and you have rights under privacy law.
