Emergency Relief Program

The program aims to support clients through:

• assistance for people to deal with their immediate crisis situation;
• delivery of services in a way that maintains the dignity of the individual and families;
• referral to other relevant services, to help clients pay bills or reduce the risk of being unable to pay their bills;
• advocacy support
• encourage greater self-reliance through building financial literacy.

• Food, transport, clothing or chemist vouchers
• Part payment of utilities
• Assistance with specialist needs (e.g. education and health costs)

Provision of support through the program will be restricted solely to people unable to pay their bills or at imminent risk of not being able to do so.

Clients will also be required to:

• Be in receipt of, or eligible to apply for, Centrelink benefits
• Have a current Health Care Card or be eligible to apply for one.
• Be available if required to meet with the Project worker to assess their eligibility, situation, immediate needs and options for further support via referral to other appropriate services.

Every client situation will be assessed on an individual basis. Provision of support for clients will be based on a client’s circumstances.