Financial Counselling
Important Information for Bushfires Victims
All at Kildonan UnitingCare are deeply saddened by the tragedy being witnessed across Victoria due to the unprecedented bushfires.
Our services in responding to this tragedy include financial counselling.
We can help with:
- Food and telephone vouchers
- Financial assistance with school costs
- Ensuring you receive all your entitlements
- Talk to creditors on your behalf
- Help plan a strategy to financial stabilise
- Put affordable arrangements in place
- Provide support and work with you—don’t panic we can help
Kildonan’s financial counselling team are available to provide support and assist with putting affordable arrangements in place via phone or office appointments.
Longer term assistance with financial counselling, ensuring people get assistance to their entitlements and developing strategies for financial stability
will be our key role.
Contact us on toll free on 1800 002 992 for more information. Our offices are located in Epping and we are providing services in Whittlesea.
Click here for additional resources
for financial counselling, and
click here for information on other agencies working in the region.
Financial Counselling - Continued
Kildonan UnitingCare make a positive difference, by assisting people experiencing financial difficulties
through the provision of information, options and advocacy.
We provide information and support to individuals and families who are experiencing financial problems,
through our Financial Counselling service, free of charge.
 Click here to download the Financial Counselling brochure (pdf - 107.89 KB)
Click here for an information sheet regarding Financial Counselling (pdf - 84.5 KB)
| Qualified and Experienced Service |
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Our staff are fully qualified in Financial Counselling,
and during any calendar year assist around 800 people with their financial issues.
The range of services provided include:
- Assistance with budgets and creditor payments
- Information on bankruptcy
- Provision of information and details on government assistance and entitlements
- Giving talks to groups and organizations
- Help with consumer problems
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| Who would use our service? |
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People may decide to see a Financial Counsellor for many reasons, including
- Continually running out of money
- Unsure about the implications of a legal letter or document
- Receipt of a final notice from lenders, including banks, or service providers such as gas,
electricity, phone, etc.
- Someone to discuss budgeting issues with
- Fear that a bank or lender is going to take action against them
- Non payment of bills and not knowing where to turn
For more information about our Financial Counselling Services,
please contact our Main Office on (03) 8401 0100
or email info@kildonan.org.au
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No Interest Loan Scheme
Kildonan's No Interest Loan Scheme aims to provide affordable credit options to individuals and
families on low incomes, to purchase essential household goods.
| Essential Household Items |
The types of essential household items that the loan can be used for include:
- Fridge
- Washing Machine
- Heater
- Microwave
- Clothes Dryer
- TV
- Stereo
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Beds/Mattresses
- Lounge Suite
- Dining Room Furniture
- Computer
- Spectacles
- Asthma Pump
- Wheelchair
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| Loans are not for: |
- Bond/Rent Money
- Rent Arrears
- Living Expenses
- Utility Bills
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| Terms |
- Can borrow from $200 up to $1,000
- No interest for the term of the loan
- No upfront fees
- Over 12 month period, repayments are deducted fortnightly through Centrepay or other nominated source
- Can only borrow for one item at a time
- If you're not eligible for a loan, we will try to refer you to another program.
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| Eligibility Criteria |
- Are you on a low income or have a Health Care Card or a Pension Card?
- Do you need to purchase an essential household item?
- Do you live in the City of Whittlesea?
- Have you lived at current address for 6 months or longer?
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| More Information |
|
For more information, contact our Main Office on (03) 8401 0100 or email
info@kildonan.org.au
Click here to download the No Interest Loans Scheme Brochure (pdf - 602.58 KB)
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MoneyMinded
MoneyMinded is an adult financial literacy program, designed to be used by financial counsellors and others working in the community
within organisations to assist individuals to make more informed decisions about the use and management of their money.
It can be tailored for consumers directly or with workers from organisations to assist their clients to achieve financial stability.
Family Violence Loans Program
Kildonan UnitingCare provides a Family Violence Loans Program to individuals and families to re-establish themselves after having a
violent situation or to assist them in the process of leaving a violent situation.
| Family Violence Loans Program |
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This is an alternative form of credit for borrowers who will have little access to mainstream low cost lending.
The loans can be up to $6000, and are based on the applicant's ability to repay the loan.
Due to circumstances borrowers often require funds for multiple items and these may include but are not limited to:
- Household furniture
- Personal needs
- Car/transportation
|
| Terms |
- Ability to repay loan
- Can borrow up to $6000
- No interest for the term of the loan
- No up-front fees
|
| Eligibility Criteria |
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If applicants are not eligible, we will liaise with potential borrowers to access other resources.
Eligibility Criteria
- Low income and disadvantaged.
- A link with the City of Whittlesea
- Willingness to repay the loan
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Hospital Based Financial Counselling
| Hospital Based Financial Counselling |
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The Hospital based financial counseling service works closely with hospital social work departments, and can be accessed by
individuals from within the hospital. This service is currently operating at Royal Children's Hospital, Monash Medical Centre,
Mildura Hospital, and Horsham Hospital.
In providing this service, Kildonan aims to minimize the financial harm that can be created when
health issues are paramount. Financial stabilty is imperative to enable health issues to be addressed.
This financial counseling service provides a free and confidential service providing information,
support and advocacy to individuals and families who:
- are patients of the hospital (including outpatients)
- are parents of children who are patients of the hospital
For more information regarding Hospital Based Financial Counselling, contact our Epping Office on (03) 8401 0100 or
info@kildonan.org.au
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