Real Stories: Asylum seeker on bridging visa has car accident and can’t pay insurance claim.

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Mohammed is on a bridging visa and the visa doesn’t allow him to work or study and he is not eligible for Centrelink payments. He was living and being supported by his partner in her community housing unit. His partner is unable to work due to a medical condition and her government benefits are only enough to meet her needs.

While waiting for his status for asylum to be resolved, Mohammed was involved in a car accident and the insurance company’s debt collector sent him a letter requiring him to pay the insurance claim. Mohammed had no money, and no ability to repay even the smallest payment arrangement.

Mohammed was referred to Better Place Australia (BPA) for free financial counselling because he resided in one of the manyfunded areasof Melbourne and Geelong.

Listen to this short podcast where a BPA and Financial First Aid senior financial counsellor shares how she assisted the client in this predicament. FinancialFirstAid.org.au is an initiative of Better Place Australia.