OPTIONS FOR HELP

• Seek Hardship Assistance from all service providers

  Obtaining Hardship Relief from other bills such as Utilities, may free up money to live on.

• Emergency Relief Agencies

  Emergency Relief provides immediate financial and/or material support to people in financial crisis. Emergency Relief services are delivered by community organisations and help people address immediate basic needs in times of financial crisis. Emergency Relief can act as a safety net for people experiencing financial distress or hardship, and who have limited means or resources to help them alleviate their financial crisis. Access to Emergency Relief is free, however, individual service providers may have certain criteria that need to be met in order to access their particular ER service. Your local Emergency Relief provider can be found on the DSS Service Directory.

• Centrelink Special Benefits

  Special benefits are available for particular cases of hardship. Check to ensure you are receiving all the benefits and allowances you may be entitled to.

• State Government Concessions

  A full range of Victorian Government Concessions can be found here:  (http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/financial-support/concessions)