Emergency Relief Service for Financial Crises

Emergency Relief is a community service administered by the Australian government’s Department of Social Services under Communities and Vulnerable People services and titled Emergency Relief. Whereas crisis payments under the Department of Human Services deals with those that are receiving government payments, the Emergency Relief program has a wider scope and provides help for all Australians.

Financial Wellbeing and Capability
This program was created in a way to reduce bureaucratic red tape while empowering local community agencies, organisations and non-profits to help average citizens in their time of need. Its focus is to help families, improve child well-being, increase vulnerable Australian’s participation in the community, and enhance family and community function. The program is meant to help people deal with their immediate crisis in a dignified manner and help encourage further self-reliance.

The program is connected with over 300 charitable organisations around Australia to provide the Emergency Relief services in your own community from an organisation you may already recognise.

 
What Help is offered?
Emergency Relief is there to offer help in a number of areas, not just for financial. The program offers payment vouchers for a number of needs that are of a fixed value; including food, transport or chemist vouchers. If you are overdue on different bills such as utilities, rent or accommodations, partial payments can be made directly to the account holder on your behalf to help you out.

The program also helps by offering direct goods such as food, household items and clothing for you or your family. In addition, you can also get help with a number of learning, educational, informational and advocacy services. These include budgeting and financial counselling, information on other emergency services and referrals to other agencies that may be able to help you with additional services.

Between the Emergency Relief program and its vast network of partners, there is help for most financial emergencies or scenarios that may pop up.

Specialised Help
Direct and indirect services include financial programs such as:

– Financial counselling
– Microfinance (Centrelink & small loans)
– Matched saving initiatives
– Financial literacy programs

In addition, other programs and services include:

– Drug and alcohol problems
– Crisis accommodation support
– Domestic violence support
– Mental health services
– Family support assistance

 
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.  Difficult times are temporary and getting the right help will assist in moving past them quickly.