Municipal Employee Legal Services Benefit (MELS)
DC 37’s Health and Security benefit package includes the largest prepaid legal services office in the country. More than 65 staff lawyers offer legal advice and representation, and prepare legal documents for members on a wide range of civil legal matters. MELS lawyers work exclusively for the union. Social workers are also available to counsel you on case-related personal and family problems.
MELS can help both part-time and full-time members and retirees with:
- Preparation of wills
- Debt matters, including bankruptcy (amount in dispute must be over $500)
- Disputes with sellers of goods and services if the amount in dispute is over $500
- Correction of inaccurate credit reports
- Billing disputes with utilities (gas, electric, phone)
- Landlord actions that could result in your eviction
- Entitlements from government agencies, like Social Security, food stamps, etc.
- Divorce, separation and annulment
- Defense in a civil law suit against you, if more than $500, and you have no legal representation under insurance policies
- Citizenship matters
To contact a MELS representative, call 212-815-1111.
