Emergency Relief Service

Please call in or phone us to make an appointment with our Emergency Relief Volunteers.

Our Service is currently low on funds due to the demand on the service.

Emergency Relief aims and objectives include:

• assisting people to deal with their immediate crisis situation.
• delivering services in a way that maintains the dignity of the individual and families
• referring consumers to other sources of support and assistance, and
• encouraging self reliance

Sometimes people find themselves in need of help, for a whole range of reasons:  casual work hours reduced, wet weather raining out jobs, unexpected expenses such as cars breaking down or being in accidents, illness, looking after family members who are ill, mental health issues worsening etc. The ER Program tries to provide a ‘hand up’ in times of need for people in our community. ER will do what we can to ease an immediate crisis and also provide information and advice as needed for people needing to improve longer term problems.

The service embraces a strengths-based framework, seeing people’s strengths and knowing that, as the experts in their own lives, they are capable of managing their own lives given the right information, support and referrals in times of crisis.  We believe that the best way to assist people in crises is by discussing the problem/s and listening to them carefully, so that possibly useful information may be given and options can be discussed.  We understand that some people may prefer not to discuss their situation.  We will provide basic assistance and refer on where people would rather be given a list of other helping agencies that may work in different ways.

Although financial assistance often is the immediate problem, ER has very limited financial resources.  While some emergency financial assistance will be offered provided funds are available, we will work holistically to find any other useful options to offer to people.

Where there is an ongoing situation, service users may be offered ongoing assistance requiring mutually agreed problem-solving steps. ER also will provide any available referral options if required. As our funds are minimal, our guidelines contain a limit to the amount of financial assistance provided to each family/individual.  Regular Service users are welcome to continue to attend for support including advocacy in achieving their financial and well-being goals, free bread (when available) and free food through Neighbourhood Harvest.

SERVICE BASICS

 We assist people who live at Bribie Island, Sandstone Point, Ningi, Godwin Beach and Beachmere.  We can refer others to their nearest assistance agency. People who are homeless also are eligible and welcome.

Appointments need to be made. The client needs to bring ID each time, with their current address, income entitlements and number of dependants listed. Useful ID sources include Centrelink entitlement cards or documentation, Health Care Cards, rent books, and drivers licences. The client need to bring any relevant bills, receipts etc when requesting assistance with these.  Payments to landlords will only be undertaken after confirmation of their legitimacy by the ER worker and only if there is paperwork (e.g. email from landlord) guaranteeing that the payment will prevent eviction of the client.

Hours of Operation via Appointment Mon- Thurs 8.30 am – 11.00 am

Phone: 3408 8440 to make an appointment. Email: neigh@binca.org.au