Financial Wellbeing Services Resources relating to the Financial Wellbeing Services panel information session which took place on 2 September 2021. The aim of this session was to provide neighbourhood house staff with a quick overview of the range of financial supports/products currently available to community members who are struggling financially throughout the pandemic – and to provide them with resources to refer them on to these services. Watch the recording Services Australia Services Australia website Financial Information Service A free service that can inform and educate you about financial matters. Call 132 300. COVID-19 Disaster Payment - Victoria COVID-19 Disaster Payment - Victoria if you get a Centrelink or DVA payment Support if you couldn’t work due to a Victoria COVID-19 public health order. Victorian Energy Compare (Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning) Victorian Energy Compare is a free, independent energy price comparison tool. It uses information you provide about both your household and your energy bills to help find the best energy offers for you, to save you money. Compare Energy Victoria website The $250 Power Saving Bonus is a one-off $250 payment to provide direct support to vulnerable Victorian households experiencing energy bill stress due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. $250 Power Saving Bonus through neighbourhood houses (To become a PSB Outreach Provider, email [email protected]) Good Shepherd No Interest Loans (NILs) For individuals and families on low incomes with access to safe, fair and affordable credit. Loans are available for essential goods and services such as fridges, washing machines, car repairs and medical procedures for up to $1,500. Repayments are set at an affordable amount over 12 to 18 months. Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is a referral point for these loans - call Lee Kerr on (03) 9606 0117 or email [email protected] to find out more. Promote NILs to your community (includes downloads for posters and social media graphics) COVID Household Relief Loans Without Interest For those affected by the coronavirus pandemic - along with a free COVID Hardship Support Hotline - loans of up to $3,000 are available for rent, rates, body corporate fees and utility bills – with no interest, charges or fees. Family and Domestic Violence No Interest Loans For women who have experienced or are experiencing family or domestic violence, Good Shepherd offers flexible, No Interest Loans of up to $2,000 that are designed to help you be safe at home, move to safety, or rebuild your life up to 10 years after. Brotherhood of St Laurence - Saver Plus Saver Plus is a financial education program for families and individuals on a tight budget to develop life-long savings habits. Over 50,000 people have joined the program, saving over $26 million. Saver Plus website Saver Plus Fact Sheet – for neighbourhood houses How It Works – For community members Education Flyer – For community members Saver Plus Facebook page National Debt Helpline National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) is a not-for-profit service that helps people tackle their debt problems. Their professional financial counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service. National Debt Hotline website Zip folder of 10 national debt helpline A5 flyers in different languages Zip folder of 10 national debt helpline A4 posters in different languages Fact sheet about the national debt helpline Another A5 flyer in English for the national debt helpline National Debt Helpline Facebook page Consumer Policy Resource Centre Energy Info Hub website This website, run by not-for-profit energy experts, has everything you need to know to spend less on energy bills at home. That includes well-known tips, and surprising suggestions. CPRC are available to partner with neighbourhood houses to run community events which help people access the $250 Power Saver Bonus. Their assistance provides: Team of up to 6 people to process applications (>150 applications/day) Completed applications count towards neighbourhood house contributions In-language support available Additional energy affordability support Free energy information packs for participants To book a workshop, contact Karl Barratt: 9607 7102 or [email protected]