Where can I find help to deal with financial issues?

[cornwall99]

Hello, I am struggling to keep my head above water at present, and am overwhelmed in every way. I have looked up accessing some superannuation under financial hardship, and between the super fund and the ATO, cannot make headway. I am completely and utterly overwhelmed at all the rules and conditions, and feel as if one is sending me to the other, and vice-versa.

Is there any free service (I am absolutely struggling, so paying is going to be really hard), where someone can help me navigate this? I am educated and experienced in financial services, but right now, I just need to access a small amount of money.

I just burst into tears and gave up. The chat line just pasted a wad of text to me when I asked a question, I may as well not have asked.

Do we have (in Victoria), any services that can help people navigate these issues?

[Sophie_M]

Hi cornwall99, 

Welcome to the Beyond Blue online forums. 

We are sorry that you have found our helpline to be unhelpful. Please know that we take feedback like this seriously and we would like to encourage you to expand on your comments so we have the best understanding of what we can do to improve. Please feel free to email us anytime here: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/contact-us 

In the meantime, you may like to look at our resource here that provides some great tips on looking after yourself under times of financial stress: http://bit.ly/QXx5fz .This resource offers steps you can take to restructure your finances and also includes a list of organisations that offer financial assistance which you may be eligible for. We appreciate you reaching out here and wish you well. 


 

[cornwall99]

Hi there, no, I didn't ring Beyond Blue helpline, I'm referring to the ATO and super fund helplines, very sorry.

Kim

[smallwolf]

Hi Kim,

how are you?

In the document that Sophie_M gave you a link there are a bunch of numbers towards the end of the document. Some of these are for services that provide free advice. For example, the national debt helpline. If there are other things that you want to discuss, I am listening.

Tim

[GucciSquirrel]

Hi cornwall99,

Sorry to hear you're struggling with your financial situation at the moment.

Whilst I don't know the specific services available in Victoria, consider getting in touch with the National Debt Helpline (you should be able to find it on Google). They should be able to put you in contact with a financial counsellor that may be able to help you negotiate hardship assistance with lenders and/or billers, how to access super under hardship provisions (which is a minefield to try and navigate on your own) etc.

In my state, financial counselling services are available at no charge and are operated by a church-affiliated not for profit. This may differ in your state.

Hope this helps. All the best.