Liaison with lawyers and social services
1. Why do you need legal and social support
Gambling addiction often entails legal and household consequences: debts, threats of eviction, family conflicts, loss of social benefits. Hotline:
2. Main legal requests
1. Debt obligations
collection of loans and microloans;
bankruptcy of individuals;
protection against collectors.
2. Family law
division of property in divorce proceedings;
establishing maintenance obligations;
the order of communication with children when one of the spouses is dependent.
3. Consumer rights
challenging fines and penalties on communal bills;
complaints about unreasonable commissions of banks and bookmakers.
4. Self-exclusion and legal aspects
legal mechanisms for forced self-disengagement from gambling establishments;
protection against operators violating the conditions of your self-exclusion.
3. Social needs
Benefits
Centrelink: pension, unemployment, emergency accommodation payments;
subsidies for housing and communal services.
Housing support
temporary accommodation in crisis centers;
help finding affordable housing.
Psychological and family help
social workers: family mediations, protection from domestic violence;
special programs for vulnerable groups (single parents, disabled people).
Training and rehabilitation services
financial literacy courses;
employment and retraining.
4. Redirection mechanism
1. Initial call
the operator asks questions about legal and social difficulties;
fixes consent to the transfer of data (within the framework of anonymity).
2. Track Package
a brief questionnaire describing the case;
list of required documents (invoices, letters from the bank, etc.).
3. Transfer to Partner Services
your state's Legal Aid Commission or Community Legal Centre;
Centrelink regional offices, housing and family unit services.
4. Approval of first visit
an operator or social worker helps set a date and time for the consultation;
in case of urgency - emergency "walk-in" receptions or telephone hotlines.
5. Types of legal aid
Free (Legal Aid)
with low income;
covers the preparation of applications, judicial representation.
Pro bono
charitable law clinics at universities;
volunteer lawyers in the framework of LawRight, Justice Connect projects.
Private practice
with average solvency - flexible payment plans.
6. Stages of social support
1. Needs assessment
field visit of a social worker or telephone meeting;
drawing up a "security plan" (housing, social benefits, communication with the family).
2. Connecting resources
Registration of benefits through Centrelink online or in the office;
referral to a crisis shelter or cohabitation.
3. Observation and adjustment
weekly reports to the social coordinator;
revision of the plan when the situation changes.
7. Coordination between services
Multispecialty Command Model
hotline, lawyers, social workers and psychologists work under a single case management;
periodic meetings (face-to-face or online) to assess progress.
Unified electronic platform
fragments of anonymous information are synchronized between services;
automatic notification of the status of the client's case.
8. Regional features
VIC/NSW/QLD/…
the names local Legal Aid and Community Centres;
contact e-mail and reception hours.
(When contacting the hotline, the operator will clarify your staff and give specific details.) *
9. Preparation for the first consultation
Documents:
Gambling addiction often entails legal and household consequences: debts, threats of eviction, family conflicts, loss of social benefits. Hotline:
- listens to your situation;
- assesses legal and social assistance needs;
- redirects to specialized specialists and agencies;
2. Main legal requests
1. Debt obligations
collection of loans and microloans;
bankruptcy of individuals;
protection against collectors.
2. Family law
division of property in divorce proceedings;
establishing maintenance obligations;
the order of communication with children when one of the spouses is dependent.
3. Consumer rights
challenging fines and penalties on communal bills;
complaints about unreasonable commissions of banks and bookmakers.
4. Self-exclusion and legal aspects
legal mechanisms for forced self-disengagement from gambling establishments;
protection against operators violating the conditions of your self-exclusion.
3. Social needs
Benefits
Centrelink: pension, unemployment, emergency accommodation payments;
subsidies for housing and communal services.
Housing support
temporary accommodation in crisis centers;
help finding affordable housing.
Psychological and family help
social workers: family mediations, protection from domestic violence;
special programs for vulnerable groups (single parents, disabled people).
Training and rehabilitation services
financial literacy courses;
employment and retraining.
4. Redirection mechanism
1. Initial call
the operator asks questions about legal and social difficulties;
fixes consent to the transfer of data (within the framework of anonymity).
2. Track Package
a brief questionnaire describing the case;
list of required documents (invoices, letters from the bank, etc.).
3. Transfer to Partner Services
your state's Legal Aid Commission or Community Legal Centre;
Centrelink regional offices, housing and family unit services.
4. Approval of first visit
an operator or social worker helps set a date and time for the consultation;
in case of urgency - emergency "walk-in" receptions or telephone hotlines.
5. Types of legal aid
Free (Legal Aid)
with low income;
covers the preparation of applications, judicial representation.
Pro bono
charitable law clinics at universities;
volunteer lawyers in the framework of LawRight, Justice Connect projects.
Private practice
with average solvency - flexible payment plans.
6. Stages of social support
1. Needs assessment
field visit of a social worker or telephone meeting;
drawing up a "security plan" (housing, social benefits, communication with the family).
2. Connecting resources
Registration of benefits through Centrelink online or in the office;
referral to a crisis shelter or cohabitation.
3. Observation and adjustment
weekly reports to the social coordinator;
revision of the plan when the situation changes.
7. Coordination between services
Multispecialty Command Model
hotline, lawyers, social workers and psychologists work under a single case management;
periodic meetings (face-to-face or online) to assess progress.
Unified electronic platform
fragments of anonymous information are synchronized between services;
automatic notification of the status of the client's case.
8. Regional features
VIC/NSW/QLD/…
the names local Legal Aid and Community Centres;
contact e-mail and reception hours.
(When contacting the hotline, the operator will clarify your staff and give specific details.) *
9. Preparation for the first consultation
Documents:
- copies of letters from collectors, subpoenas;
- certificates of income and acts of payment for utilities. Brief chronology:
- dates of key events (loans, court decisions);
- contact details of all parties to the case. Questions to the specialist:
- possible deadlines for resolving the issue;
- alternative ways (minimization of fines, restructuring).
10. Next steps and controls
Follow-up from the hotline in 1-2 weeks to check the status of the appeal.
Regular reports to the case manager on the results of legal negotiations and social benefits.
Adjust plan: Change strategy or connect additional services as needed.
The comprehensive scheme of interaction of the hotline with lawyers and social services ensures the protection of your rights, restoration of everyday stability and support at each stage of overcoming the consequences of gambling addiction. Call 1800 858 858 and you will receive a clear plan to solve legal and social problems.
