Free legal advice for funeral fund victims

Alira Morey (left) of Legal Aid NSW is encouraging people to get legal advice if they are affected by the Youpla crash. Financial Co-ordinator Lynda Edwards said talks were continuing with Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney to find a resolution. Photos supplied

As investigations continue into the collapse of the Youpla funeral fund, Legal Aid NSW is offering free legal advice to consumers hoping to access the Federal government’s grants scheme for affected consumers.

The support scheme will guarantee policies until November 30 next year for customers who were active from April 1, 2020.

Alira Morey is Solicitor-in-Charge of the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities for Legal Aid NSW and said there was free legal help available to Youpla consumers trying to apply for financial assistance.

Ms Morey said consumers should first get in touch with the federal government’s Youpla funeral benefits hotline for information about eligibility, on 1800 296 989.

“If people are in need of legal advice about their eligibility or filling out an application, they can call Legal Aid NSW on 1300 888 529,” she said.

“Legal Aid NSW provides free legal advice and assistance to people in many different areas of law, including insurance law, and for many years Legal Aid NSW has worked closely with groups and organisations in the legal assistance and consumer advocacy sector.

“This group is known as the Funeral Fund Working Group and was set up to help people impacted by the conduct of the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund and Youpla,” Ms Morey said.

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