BORDER health and legal services have combined forces to keep people out of the court system.
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The Holistic Assistance and Legal Outreach (HALO) has been piloted in Wodonga between Gateway Health and Hume Riverina Community Legal Service which has already identified 27 people with legal problems.
Lawyer Beth Kennedy has been on site at Gateway Health for two hours a fortnight since February.
Principal lawyer Sarah Rodgers said given the program's success, they are now seeking funding.
"I think 27 referrals is quite a good number and absolutely shows we have a need for this service in our area," Ms Rodgers said.
"We are trying to target disadvantaged people and it's those people who often don't reach out for legal help - they sometimes don't even realise they have a legal issue.
"We think it will actually save the government money, because often when people don't get legal help early the problem escalates and they end up in court when they don't need to.”
Just 16 per cent of people with legal issues seek help from a lawyer and Ms Rodgers said people are more likely to tell their doctor about it instead.
The project has also been piloted in Melbourne and Bendigo and would cost $50,000 per year.
Both organisations have applied for government funding and are hoping it will eventually operate two days a week at Gateway Health in Wodonga and Wangaratta.
Gateway Health chief executive Leonard Peady said underlying legal issues can be the cause people's health problems.
"We know when we refer to other services, a lot of people don't ever follow up that referral because it's unfamiliar and they don't know them.
"But if there's a connection and it's on-site they are more likely to go.
"We provide gamblers help, counselling, mental health and drug and alcohol services and many of those clients have a legal issue and may not realise it.
"This medico-legal funding stream is quite common in America.”
Both organisations have met with Benambra MP Bill Tilley and Murray Valley MP Tim McCurdy who both said they support the project.
Health Minister Sussan Ley has also been contacted and has forwarded the idea to her department.
