Guideline 12 – social security cases at the ARO and SSAT stages
Guideline 12 – social security cases at the ARO and SSAT stages
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) may make a grant of legal assistance for representation in social security matters at the Authorised Review Officer (ARO) stage and the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) stage.
Documentary requirements
Simplified grants assessment process
Applications under this guideline can only be made via the simplified grants assessment process by an in-house practitioner. An application should be submitted via ATLAS for assessment.
Standard grants assessment process
Any other member of the section 29A practitioner panel or section 30 referral panel seeking a grant of legal assistance must apply via the standard grants assessment process. The following documents should be forwarded for assessment:
- a copy of any available documentation or evidence which shows that the social security matter is:
- at the Authorised Review Officer stage
or - the Social Security Appeals Tribunal stage.
- at the Authorised Review Officer stage
- reference to how the matter meets the State reasonableness test or the State interests of justice test
- relevant proof of means.