May Training
18 Volunteers and members were given a very good insight into the work that EACH does with clients in financial stress. Hayley, a Financial Counsellor from EACH told us of the sudden and unexpected changes to family finances which can occur when faced with a crisis situation such as retrenchment, eviction or break down of marriage.
EACH’s financial counselling is available and free to low income earners and Centrelink recipients living or working in Maroondah, Knox, Healesville, Yarra Junction and surrounding areas. Clients are encouraged to call the service direct to assess the degree of urgency in attending to their problem.
Problems such as gambling, or mental issues due to stress where perhaps the loss of property may be a real possibility are usually seen in 2-3 weeks while less immediate problems may need to wait for 2-3 months.
The financial counsellors at EACH are not financial advisors just as in CAB only options and help is given. Help may take the form of advocacy with an energy or other utility provider, or with the banks. It may take the form of legal help with services such as Ombudsmen, or referrals to Legal Aid.
The problems facing clients come from various sources such as expensive contracts with mobile phones, contracts where reasonable repayment arrangements are not in place or hardship due to “churning” forced on vulnerable people by door to door sales people.
To access Each and for further information contact 9871 1800.
Head office 46, Warrandyte Road, Ringwood 3134
03 9870 4688 03 9871 1800
info@each.com.au each.com.au
Next month we will have a talk about Halfway House
Filed in News | No responses yet