Hardship Assistance and Financial Counselling

We offer two distinct services:

1. Hardship Assistance

Hardship Assistance Program is a service for people experiencing an immediate crisis situation or need short-term assistance. The Program helps people maintain their dignity when dealing with an emergency crisis, and at the same time encourages self-reliance.

Hardship Assistance is not an income support payment. It is expected that in most cases assistance will be for a one-off purpose.

Assistance is primarily provided in the form of:

• Food banks – stocked with a variety of essential items, including dry goods, canned goods, and household staples;
• Utility vouchers – can be used for essential services such as electricity and gas. The vouchers can help prevent service disconnections and maintain a safe and comfortable living environment.

2. Financial Counselling

Financial Counselling is a confidential community service, which assists people who are experiencing financial difficulties or need information relating to credit and debt. It offers assistance with financial, business and para-legal matters. It also provides skills in money management.

Financial Counsellors are qualified staff and volunteers who are members of the Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW. Face-to-face interviews are confidential, supportive and non- judgemental.

Activities and Services included:

• Short term emergency, financial and/ or material assistance;
• Financial counselling services;
• Referrals to other services that help to address underlying causes of financial crisis, including:
  • Drug and alcohol rehabilitation services;
  • Supported accommodation services;
  • Mental health services.

Service operating times

The Hardship Assistance Program runs monthly by appointment on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 3:45pm at Sydney Community Services Hunters Hill-Ryde Branch, located at 46 Gladesville Rd, Hunters Hill.

Financial Counselling is an outreach program of neighbouring organisation Christian Community Aid held at 46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill by appointment only.

Fees
No Charge

Areas Serviced