Legal Health Check - After a Disaster

This information is general and should not be a substitute for legal advice. Legal Services provides free advice for most legal problems. Call the Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424 or visit lsc.sa.gov.au or lawhandbook.sa.gov.au

This form will help you know if you need legal help following a disaster.

If you tick any of the boxes or are not sure about any question, call the Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424 for free advice and information.
Legal Services staff and community workers can help you complete this checklist.

If you speak a language other than English and need an interpreter, call the free interpreting service on 131 450 then ask for 1300 366 424.

For more information about the law, visit lsc.sa.gov.au.

Insurance

House, property or car damaged in the disaster?
Not sure whether you have insurance or who you have insurance with?
Want to make an insurance claim?
Having trouble with your insurer and not sure what your policy covers?
Insurance claim denied and need help?
Need help with funeral insurance or payment?
Offered a cash settlement or rebuild and not sure what to do?
Need temporary accommodation or debris removal, but not sure if your insurer will pay?

Disaster payments and grants

Want to know more about disaster payments or grants and if you are eligible?
Need help applying for a grant or getting evidence (including a statutory declaration)?
Been refused a disaster payment or grant and want to know if you can appeal?
Need help with a review or appeal?

Money

Having trouble paying your loans, credit cards or mortgage?
Received an insurance payout and need advice about its effect on your mortgage?
Being hassled by a debt collector?
Having trouble paying council rates, utilities, fines or other debts?
Think you may be the victim of a scam?

Centrelink

Worried an insurance payout may affect your Centrelink payment?
Centrelink say you owe money?
Want to know if you are eligible for a Centrelink payment or a pension?

Housing and tenancy

Renting a house, unit or caravan

Rental property damaged in the disaster?
Still paying full rent and not sure if you should continue to pay?
Need help getting the landlord to fix the damage?
Want to end your tenancy?
Landlord say you need to clean up after the disaster?
Landlord not returning your bond?
Received a notice from your landlord?

Homeowner in a caravan park

Caravan or caravan park damaged in the disaster?
Caravan and contents not insured?
Still paying residential park site fees and not sure if you should continue to pay?
Want to end your residential park site agreement and leave the caravan park?

Employment

Had to take unexpected leave?
Need advice on work entitlements and conditions (leave options, pay, superannuation)?
Lost your job or had your income or hours reduced?

Replacing important documents

Need help replacing important documents (passport, certificate of title, ID, birth certificate)?

Domestic, family and sexual violence and crime

Feeling unsafe at home or elsewhere?
Has your partner or a family member hurt or scared you?
Need information about victims of crime compensation?
Have a court date coming up and not sure what to do?
Had belongings stolen after the disaster?

Family and children

Having issues with sharing the care of your children or with family court orders?
Having trouble getting or paying child support?
Had contact with the Department for Child Protection?