Bushfire affected regions of Victoria will share in more than $294,000 additional funding from the Liberal and Nationals Government to increase access to financial counselling services.
The financial support is part of part of an additional $3.5 million allocated to deliver ongoing support to communities ravaged during the recent bushfire season.
Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the additional money would provide an injection of $100,000 for Upper Murray Family Care to support bushfire affected residents in the North East region.
“It’s great news that Upper Murray Family Care has been provided this extra funding to deliver expanded financial counselling services as communities across Towong, Alpine, Indigo, Mansfield, Wangaratta and Wodonga shires recover,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Likewise, Anglicare Victoria and Latrobe Community Health Service will receive $100,000 and $94,847 respectively to deliver additional services for East Gippsland and Wellington.”
Support breakdown:
- Towong………………………. $37,000
- Alpine………………………… $23,048
- Indigo…………………………. $10,000
- Mansfield……………………. $10,000
- Wangaratta…………………. $10,000
- Wodonga……………………. $10,000
- East Gippsland……………. $184,847
- Wellington…………………… $10,000
- Total………………………… $294,896
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said it was vital families and businesses continued to have access to free financial advice throughout recovery period.
“Many Australians continue to experience financial hardship with homes, businesses and workplaces destroyed or damaged by the devastating fires we saw in past year,” Minister Ruston said.
“Financial counselling organisations in bushfire affected communities are acutely aware of the needs in their respective communities and are able to provide free and confidential support to help people work through their current situation and plan for the future.
“We understand that rebuilding a life after disaster takes time and this additional funding will improve accessibility to this vital service throughout the recovery.”
Financial counsellors can help people manage debt and make decisions about their money, including assessing a person’s financial situation, identifying options, advocating and negotiating with third parties such as banks and insurance companies and advising what other support services are available.
Nationally, the money will be provided to 22 services operating across 98 bushfire-affected areas based on the level of impact and distribution of Disaster Recovery Payments to ensure it’s focussed on the areas of highest need.
It comes on top of $6.5 million which has been distributed in the immediate aftermath of the fires to bolster the National Debt Helpline, services run by the Salvation Army and Anglicare and specialist counselling for small business.