With the economic impacts of COVID-19 being felt across Australia, more people than ever are likely to find themselves in need of financial assistance.
Regional Housing Limited (RHL) has announced it can provide both emergency relief and financial counselling to families and individuals who are struggling to pay bills or put food on the table, including those who have been forced out of work by the current pandemic.
Emergency relief provides immediate financial support for people experiencing financial hardship, including pre-paid essentials cards for the purchase of food and other necessities, financial assistance with bill payments, and other forms of financial support.
Financial counselling provides information, guidance and advocacy for people experiencing financial hardship, helping them to understand their options and assisting them to improve their financial situation.
This can include assistance with prioritising debts, negotiating with creditors and bankruptcy.
RHL’s Chief Executive Officer Brett Hanna said he expected many people who had never required assistance before might now find themselves in need of support as a result of the economic downturn associated with the coronavirus.
“We appreciate that a lot of people who have never accessed these types of services before, will now find themselves in need of assistance,” Brett said.
“We want people to know that RHL is here to help in any way we can.”
RHL has been supporting new and existing clients via phone and appointment throughout the COVID-19 crisis and has recently re-opened the doors of its Bundaberg and Hervey Bay offices, allowing people toagain request assistance in person.
For more information on the supports offered by Regional Housing Limited call 1300 642 123 or visit www.regionalhousing.org.au
Regional Housing Limited’s Emergency Relief and Commonwealth Financial Counselling programs are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
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