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Welcome to our final newsletter for 2020 - what a year it's been! 

Here's a snapshot of what we've included for you:

  • Office closure details and support/options for people needing legal advice
  • Bushfire legal help
  • COVID-19 legal issue help
  • NSW outreach clinics
  • ICYMI - Annual Report 2019-20

We are winding down to the end of the year, but our free legal service is still taking appointments until 23 December. You can reach us on 1800 918 377 or contact us through the website. If we are unable to assist, we will refer you to other appropriate services. 

A huge thanks to all our partners for your support throughout the year. We very much appreciate the work you have done in challenging times to continue serving the community in circumstances where more people than ever relied on our help.  We look forward to working with you all in the future and welcome the opportunity to re-connect with you next year.

Our next newsletter will hit your inbox in January 2021 when we return. It will include everything you need to know about our service re-starting, and our plans for another year giving free legal assistance to those who need it the most. 

From all the staff at HRCLS, we hope you have a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Xmas-New Year break office break

We are closing for Christmas at 5pm on 23 December, and will re-open at 9am on Monday 4 January 2021.

Free legal advice is also available during this time:

  • Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387 or online chat at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
  • LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529

You can also visit the HRCLS website for more information.
HRCLS website
 
COVID-19 info - easy access

Our website has plenty of links in one easy location with the information you need to help clients struggling as a result of COVID-19.

This includes links to courts information, legal aids, employment and tenancy Q&As, family law, family violence and mediation services, specialist consumer help and Centrelink queries.

Please call us on 1800 918 377 if you have any COVID-related questions.
COVID-19 links
Bushfire legal help

FREE legal help and advice is available on  your legal issues and options for ongoing assistance after the bushfires. Our bushfire Harley Dannatt can help answer any questions you have about 

Call HRCLS on 1800 918 377 to seek initial guidance on how to tackle your legal problem. You can also visit our website for links for Victorian and NSW residents. This includes information for small business owners and primary producers.
Bushfire Legal Help
NSW Outreach clinics - 2021

We're excited to be out giving face-to-face legal advice again! Our outreach clinics in NSW will start in early February 2021. Our schedule is being finalised and we look forward to releasing it before we hit the road. Please contact our office with any queries you have about this program. 
Our stories

Check out the latest story on our website. It's a huge success for Meegan*, with a waiver of about $250,000 that meant she could keep her home. At a very stressful time, our lawyer Becky Smith provided clear and confident legal advice, and this helped Meegan understand the process and created a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Meegan said the advice she received was exactly what she needed at the time and the pressure she was under. 

We appreciate our clients telling their story and how our legal assistance and the positive impact it has had on their lives. Read all our stories, including Meegan's here

Meegan* is not client's real name
Got a legal question for HRCLS?
Call us on 1800 918 377 or email cls@umfc.com.au

We help solve legal problems

As a generalist free community legal service, we provide assistance on a range of legal issues, including:

·       family law

·       family violence

·       separation and divorce

·       youth law

·       motor vehicle accidents

·       credit and debt issues

·       consumer complaints

·       fines

·       other everyday legal problems

Some legal problems, like bankruptcy, conveyancing, personal injury, and commercial matters, we are unable to assit with, but if you call us, we can refer you to someone who can help. We prioritise people experiencing family violence, children and youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability or mental illness, the elderly, low income earners, and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Responsible lending laws need to stay

People need access to affordable and suitable loans. But without adequate protections, people can end up in trouble and needing help to get their lives back on track. In a joint effort with Upper Murray Family Care, we have written to local MPs Member for Farrer the Hon. Sussan Ley, and Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines, and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie asking them not to support a wind back of the responsible lending laws that have been in place for more than a decade. We have joined with many others in our sector to tell the Government this will harm people and families. Removing responsible lending protections is irresponsible, and clients we have spoken to agree with us. We will keep you updated on our advocacy effort, and other reform work we have planned in 2021.    
 
Need help sorting out finances?

UMFC Financial Counselling – phone appointments available. Call 02 6055 8000 to speak with a financial counsellor.

Uniting Goulburn North East Financial and Gambling Counselling - Financial counsellors are operating on the phone (02) 6021 7099 or email stdavids@vt.uniting.org. 

Anglicare Riverina - email riverinafc@anglicare.com.au to speak with a financial counsellor who can help you sort out problems with your finances and get you on the right track.
Ombudsman update on our patch

The Energy & Water Ombudsman Victoria, Cynthia Gebert, hosted an information session on Wednesday 18 November with HRCLS for services in North East Victoria. It was a very beneficial session with a wide ranging discussion about trends, and the assistance that can be accessed. Below is how you can contact EWOV via a priority line.

About EWOV
Priority line for agencies working with clients for direct access to contact EWOV.

Agency Priority Line 03 8672 4477 (Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm)

Telephone 1800 500 509 (Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm)

The complaint process is split into stages but if there are identified vulnerabilities (e.g. Family Violence)  or a particularly complex case, the Assisted Referral step may be skipped and an Investigation started straight away. It is important to provide an Authority to Act on behalf of a client if you contact EWOV in this instance.
Missed our Annual Report? Just click on the link 
Collaborations: Changing Lives 2019-20

27-29 Stanley Street

Wodonga VIC 3677

Postal: Box 31, Wodonga VICF 3689 

Email: cls@umfc.com.au

Contact us online

Website: HRCLS