Legal assistance

Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4pm.

Phone: 03 9481 0355

What to expect when you contact SSRV

When you call SSRV, a staff member will speak to you about the reason for your call and may:

• book you for an appointment with a lawyer or financial counsellor, depending on your issue
• let you know that we will assess whether or not we will book you for an appointment (we may ask you to provide additional information as part of this assessment process)
• refer you to another service or agency
• provide information.

We are unable to provide legal advice when you first contact SSRV.

Types of issues SSRV helps 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
• Disaster-related social security legal issues
• 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
• 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

Accessibility

We understand that calling is difficult or not possible 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 (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 (03) 9481 0355 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.

SSRV lawyers provide a range of further legal assistance services such as assessment of documentation and decisions, negotiation with Centrelink and providing representation at Administrative Review Tribunal hearings. This assistance is subject to guidelines and availability of resources. Read the guidelines for assistance for people affected by disasters here.

View factsheets that may help you to understand your rights and obligations, and to resolve some problems with Centrelink.

View links to other useful resources and organisations.

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is for people who cannot support themselves through work because of a long-term illness, injury or disability. If your health is preventing you from working the DSP might be appropriate for you. DSP Help can help you understand:

· What the DSP is and how to meet the eligibility criteria

· 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 was created by and is managed by SSRV. You can read more about it here.

Centrelink debts (also called overpayments) can be confusing and difficult to navigate. It’s important to get legal advice before you decide to challenge a debt. Social Security Debt Help can help you understand can help you understand Centrelink debts generally before you speak to a lawyer about your situation.

Social Security Debt Help can help you understand:

· What Centrelink debts are and how they come about

· The options for appealing or challenging a Centrelink debt

· What to do when you’re asked to pay a Centrelink debt back

· Where to get help, and what you should ask your lawyer

Social Security Debt Help was created and is managed by SSRV. You can find out more about it here.

Guidelines for Bushfire Legal Support are here.