Program

Financial Assistance Programs

Service provided

• Emergency Relief https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/directory/services/emergency-relief
• Financial Counselling https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/directory/services/financial-counselling
• NILS – only NILS loans up to $2,000 are offered.

The service is free, confidential and independent.

Eligibility criteria

Emergency Relief can be accessed by anyone who:

• is experiencing a financial crisis, which has left them unable to pay for necessities such as food,
• is at imminent risk of not being able to pay bills or purchase other necessities,
• is living in Ballarat, Bendigo, Broadmeadows, Castlemaine, East Melbourne, Epping, Footscray, Geelong, Kyneton, Melton, Norlane, Warragul, and Warrnambool.

Financial Counselling can be accessed by anyone who:

• is personally liable for debt,
• experiencing financial difficulty, and/or
• has problems with debt.

Referral pathway

• Emergency Relief – Call 1800 123 228 between 9:30am-11:30am, Monday to Friday for an appointment. All appointments are via phone.
• Financial Counselling – Call 03 5438 1300 for an appointment. Appointments are available Tuesday-Thursday.
• NILS – Call (03) 5051 0050 or (03) 5337 8999 or e-mail nils@catholiccarevic.org.au