Navigating financial assistance and support – How do I access assistance

[Lise_1110]

My husband and I have always worked hard and paid our bills.
Now we have come to the point that we may need some assistance to keep our house and pay all the bills one my income alone.
What avenues are available and what we should do?

My husband is battling serve anxiety which has manifested into serve depression.
We were so lucky with family support and learning about the mental Health Act Waiver that we were able to get the quick access support he needed by going into private hospital.
At first it was really hard, it was little dropping off a 2year old at daycare the emotional blackmail of Please don’t leave me here was one of the hardest things I’ve done.

He progressed so well in the private hospital but it did become his safe heaven. He has finished his 6 weeks stay in the private but in coming home he has regressed, he has is appointments with the GP and Psychologist tomorrow so that’s reassuring.

One of his anxiety trigger points is money and he will soon run out of sick leave.

What are our options?
What support is available?

I can’t see him returning to work for potentially months as he couldn’t pick up the groceries which was a click and collect- they came out to his car and out the food in the boot and he came home an absolute mess.

Thank you so much for any advise

Lise

[Sophie_M]

Hi Lise 1110,

Welcome to the forum. We understand that keeping up with the finances can be very difficult, particularly when reducing to one salary. Sorry to hear about your challenge with looking after your husband while he manages his mental illness.

Does your husband have a diagnosis for his mental health? If so, you could try to speak to the GP and psychologist about putting through an application for NDIS. They will not provide money for your home, but they can support with things that help support your husband’s mental health.

Have you called charities such as St Vinnies, Salvos, Smith's Family, neighbourhood houses etc in your area? They may be able to support with food vouchers and potentially help you pay some bills and other expenses. Also, if you are late on certain bills you can contact for example your electricity provider and ask them for utility relief.  You can only claim utility relief every so often, so ask them how often you would be able to claim this. I believe you can claim up to $650 for utility relief.  There are also food banks that provide donated food.

Hopefull this helps you, keep returning to the forum we have a lovely community here.
 

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi Lise

So sorry you and your husband are going through this. I feel Sophie may have misunderstood about the 2 year old bit, but has provided sound advice for getting some help financially. I'd be inclined to get financial advice, whether that be through your bank or through a social service such as the Salvos (not 100% the Salvos would offer this service but there would be someone in your area who does).

How are you going with everything? Do you have people supporting you during this time? We are always here to chat to, as you like.

Katy

[Mr__Irrational]

Hi Lise,

The federal government has a free service for financial support before filing for bankruptcy. It can be found on the governments bankruptcy website

It is a free service, they will assess your current requirements and debts on your behalf and will deal with debtors (car loans, utilities, mobile phones, credit cards) to defer payments, make part payments, or put a hold on payments entirely for a period of time.

They do all this on your behalf, removing the stress of having to talk to all these institutions. All you need to do is explain your situation, provide the accounts statements and they will do the rest for you.

I have used this service, and it changed my life. No gimmicks, its 100% free and they were very professional.

Let me know if you need more info

[Mr__Irrational]

Apologies, I just read also your husband suffering mental illness. I too have a mental illness, and with supporting letters from psychologist/psychiatrist the governments assistance line was able to have all my debts waived with the banks/debtors I had on compassionate mental health grounds.

I highly recommend following that avenue, it also did not affect my credit rating as they are not listed as defaults.

[geoff]

Hello Mr. Irrational, can I get back to you in the morning, I'm sorry as I start very early, but the Vic government have a site where you can receive $250 if you are receiving a card from Centrelink, so if you google Victoria Compare Energy the information will be there, but will get back to you tomorrow, but please have some strength, we are all behind you.

Geoff.