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Financial assistance

There are a number of services that provide financial support to Maroondah residents.

Advance payment - Services Australia

 You may get part of your income support payment or Family Tax Benefit (Part A) early. This is an advance payment. You pay it back later out of your payments from us.   Select your payment or service to find out how this impacts you:

Ambulance travel

Who: Concession cardholders
What: Free ambulance and air ambulance travel anywhere in Australia in an emergency or on the recommendation of a doctor.

Australian Banking Association - Financial Difficulty

A wide range of practical ways your bank can help you out of financial difficulty 

Australian Taxation Office - COVID-19

Information about ATO measures and tailored support during COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

Bereavement

 Who: Victorians who have limited or no funds. 
 What  Low-cost funeral services and practical assistance.

A dignified funeral service can be provided where the alternative is a ‘pauper burial’ or an expensive funeral that relatives or friends cannot afford. Bereavement assistance Ltd is a charitable funeral director, registered with the Australian Charities and NFP Commission. They aim to relieve poverty and distress through this service.

            What you need to do when someone dies. What to prepare before you die. Payments, information and help for grieving family member          

Carer Pathway Resources page - Financial Counselling Victoria

Understanding that carers are busy people who cannot always be available to speak on the phone about their personal matters, we (Financial Counselling Victoria) have developed a dedicated pathway for you to access financial counselling.  

Centrelink financial information service

Who: All Australians.
What: A free Financial Information Service that is confidential and provides education and information on financial issues.

Energy Concessions

Who: Eligible concession cardholders
What: A variety of concessions and benefits to assist low-income Victorians with energy bills offered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Financial Assistance and compensation - Victims of Crime

Who: People who have been the victim of a crime.
What: Financial assistance through the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal in the form of compensation from the person who committed the crime, or through civil court action.

Financial Counselling

Who: Low income earners and Centrelink recipients living or working in the City of Maroondah, the City of Knox, Healesville, Yarra Junction and the surrounding areas.
What: Free and confidential financial counselling service.

Financial counsellors can offer:

  •  assessment of your financial situation 
  • advice if you can’t pay bills, fines or debts
  • assistance to work out payments with creditors
  • help with budgeting
  • information about bankruptcy
  • information about possible government assistance
  • consumer information
  • information about your legal rights. 

National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. We’re not a lender and we don’t ‘sell’ anything or make money from you. Our professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service.   

Financial Counselling Victoria - Carer Pathway Resources

Information Resources for Carers

Financial and other support for COVID-19

Find out about the financial support available to people and businesses affected by COVID-19 

First Nation Foundation - Tomorrow Money (Financial Wellbeing)

Tomorrow Money is an online resource to educate and empower young Indigenous Australians to take control of their financial future. 

Gambler’s Help

Who: People who are affected by gambling including friends and family.
What: Gambler's Help is a free, professional, confidential counselling service. 

Good Shepherd Microfinance

Who: People on low incomes.
What: Low income loans.

Good Shepherd Microfinance enable people to define and then to realise their own economic wellbeing and to feel valued and in control of their finances and lives.  Find a provider

Indigenous Women's Financial Wellness ( private facebook page)

The Indigenous Women's Financial Wellness project has been developed to increase the economic security of Indigenous Women across Australia 

Living in Public Housing - Making alterations to your home

Who: People who need to make changes to their home for disability or health and safety reasons.
What: Free and low cost aids, adaptations and disability modifications such as handrails or ramps.

In most cases, modifications are provided free of charge when you ask for them and can give us a letter or a report from your occupational therapist or doctor.

You can submit a request for aids, adaptations and disability modifications by sending:.

  • A letter
  • An application for special accommodation requirements form (.pdf) or the accessible version of the application (.doc)
  • A report completed by a health care professional, like an occupational therapist or a health professional relevant to your disability. 

The information you provide must confirm the need and urgency for the changes. It must also detail the type of modifications needed.

Mob Strong Debt Help 

Tackling credit, debt and insurance matters for our peoples. Contact the Mob Strong Debt Help line on free call 1800 808 488 (Mon. to Fri. 9.30am - 4.30pm). Open through Christmas and New Year (except public holidays).

Money Minded Online

MoneyMinded Online is made up of a series of eight interactive activities that are designed to improve your money management skills. You can complete any of the activities at any time and at no cost to you. 

MoneySmart - COVID-19 making financial decisions

An Australian Government website designed to help Australians take control of their money and build a better life with free tools, tips and guidance

Steps to look after yourself and your money

Student Life and Money

Municipal rates concession

Who: Homeowners, for their principal place of residency who have a Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card
What: A 50% discount off council rates up to a yearly maximum of $208 in 2014-2015.

View the Municipal Rates Concession fact sheet.

My Money Dream

My Money Dream is an online financial literacy education program
built from a successful 10-year face-to-face program with First Nations communities. 

No interest loan scheme

Who: Individuals and families on a low income or who have a Health Care Card/Pension Card.

You must have lived in your current residence for more than 3 months and show a willingness and capacity to repay the loan.

What: The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) provides no fees, charges or interest.

Loans may include:

  • Household items like fridges, freezers, washing machines, stoves, clothes dryers and some furniture 
  • Some medical and dental services 
  • Educational essentials such as computers and text books 
  • Some other items as requested.

The NILS program is run by local community organisations at over 600 locations across Australia. 

Salvation Army Financial Assistance

Financial problems can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. With debt building up, paying your rent or even buying food for your family can feel overwhelming.

Money troubles may leave people feeling lonely, embarrassed and isolated. If your financial situation gives you more of an icy shiver than a warm sense of safety, help is at hand. There are many services to help you get back on your feet.

Step-up low interest loan

StepUP is a low interest loan for people on low incomes who have difficulty accessing credit from a bank. You can borrow from $800 – $3,000 with up to three years to pay it back. There are no fees. 

Utility Relief Grant and Non-Mains Utility Relief Grant schemes

Concessions on utility bills are available for low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship.

          Who: The department and other agencies offer a variety of concessions and benefits to eligible cardholders to assist low-income Victorians during financial hardship. If you have a relevant concession card, you may be eligible for one of these concessions:    

          What:  Utility relief grant scheme (non-mains) - non-mains utility relief is available to Victorians on very low incomes who have experienced unexpected hardship

         Utility relief grant scheme - relief grants for paying overdue energy or water bills are available to low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship.             

Telephone allowance

Who: People in financial difficulty.
What: Assistance with the costs of maintaining a telephone and a home internet service.

Telstra - Financial Hardship support

22/06/2017
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