• Food parcels,
• Assistance with Telstra home line bills,
• Assistance and advocacy for utility bills and utility relief grants, if eligible.

• Advice on debt management, negotiating with creditors and budgeting.
• Information on bankruptcy, credit laws and government assistance.

• Financial Capacity providing advocacy and support for:

o   setting up payment plans for utility bills or fines;

o   Advocacy if you have fallen behind in your rent/mortgage and are at risk of homelessness;

o   Support to set up bank accounts;

o   Determine if you are eligible for government entitlements, concessions or help with bills;

o   Assistance with strengthening money management skills.

• Family Violence Support, including:

o   Immediate crisis support including financial counselling, generalist counselling, food parcels, toiletries, support accessing medical services, education support with school staples.

o   Same-day access to a no-interest loan (through the Domestic Violence No Interest Loan Scheme) which may be used for securing accommodation, education/medical supports or household essentials.

o   Work alongside safety plans with financial and advocacy supports.

o   Coordinate cross-agency care through established support networks to address your specific needs.

• Debt consolidation for those on low incomes

• Interest-free loans of up to $2,000 for essential items (unexpected expenses) or medical services/ vet bills.

• Essentials insurance is a safe and affordable way to go for low income earners and can be paid for annually, monthly, fortnightly or through Centrepay. Essentials by AAI offers comprehensive car and home contents insurance.
• Eligible those with a Healthcare card, Centrelink payments or with a household income of less than $48,000 (excluding superannuation).

• BFF helps families apply for State School Relief.
• This program provides vouchers for a discount on uniforms with logos and can sometimes provide uniform items that don’t have logos at no cost.

• Credit Breakfree is BFFS financial education program delivered one-on-one with a Financial Capacity worker or Financial Counsellor, or through group workshops in BFFS social support programs. The Program is also run throughout the year through workshops in the Bendigo community.
• Be Connected an empowering program for those with no, or limited, computer skills. Learn the basics of using digital devices and engaging with the internet, including:
  • Being safer while online
  • Talking to or seeing family and friends who live far away
  • Finding new friends who share interests and hobbies
  • Connecting with old friends
  • Keeping up to date with what’s happening in communities and around the world
  • Shopping and selling online, safely and securely.