Origin Energy and Energy Australia have offered help for anyone whose livelihood has been impacted by COVID-19. Both companies are offering extensions and supporting the most vulnerable through their hardship programs with tailored payment plans and protection from disconnection.
These provisions have, for many years, been offered to people in financial hardship and it seems that both companies recognise that people's lives have been turned upside down overnight and who will need to make do with their savings for some time. Any company responding to the call for help and "being Australian" gets a gold star in our books but deciding what bills to pay or what service gets a little of your money first may be the real decision for you to make.
If you find yourself falling into hardship then it may pay to ring the Affordable SA Helpline or talk to a Financial Counselor. Seeking help early can save years of long term debt. They are free, independent and on your side. Many times when it comes to utilities debt, the first question will be "have you spoken to your provider?"
If you're in hardship, not necessarily affected by COVID-19 Crisis, there are concessions and help available through hardship programs with most energy providers. The South Australian Government also provides the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme (EEPS) payment if you’re at risk of your electricity being disconnected. EEPS is only accessible through financial counsellors who will assess your financial situation.
At present Financial Counsellors are only booking in phone appointments and observing the Government's social distancing measures. See more information about the changes to Financial Counselling appointments on Affordable SA
(To make document presentation easier you may want to download a mobile scanner App if you do not have scanning capability at home. Apps such as Fast scanner, Genius and Tiny Scanner are available from Apple and Google play)
As South Australia steps into the next phase of our COVID-19 response many of us head indoors to separate ourselves from our work colleagues and many more head for the unemployment phone cues wondering how they will manage.
Charities are now scrambling to maintain some degree of help for those in need as well as keep their staff safe. Reinventing themselves almost every day as each new phase hits the state.
Affordable SA is now focused on providing as much up to date information about those services that are remaining open or have restricted services. We are updating the App and Website information constantly so that users are not frustrated by investigating services that can not help.
This means that many services will temporarily disappear from Affordable SA as they close their doors and cannot assist people in need. Many others will re-emerge as they find new ways of providing help in a safe manner for both their clients and their employees. Our aim is not to send people looking for assistance down a dead end.
If you're having problems managing cost of living issues turn to the Affordable SA App, Website or ring the Affordable SA Helpline 1800 025 539.
We're locals too and we are focused on South Australia and South Australians.
While the fires were still burning on Kangaroo Island, two workers from the Affordable SA Helpline volunteered their time to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the bushfires. I sat down with Sarah and James to get a glimpse of what it was like to visit a community impacted by bushfires.
Early in the morning, Sarah and James caught the ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw and made the one-hour trip to the Recovery Centre in Parndana. On the road to Parndana, James recalled seeing the city of tents set up next to the airport to accommodate the CFS volunteers and the highly visible presence of the Army across the island, something most of us are not used to seeing in our suburbs. The Army were on the island to assist with distributing water, burying dead stock, shifting fallen trees and maintaining the safety of the locals.
Once they arrived in Parndana, Sarah and James were involved in providing immediate financial assistance to those impacted by the fires. As the fires were still burning on the island, a Watch and Act warning was still in place so many locals were still in ‘survival mode’ – just taking one day at a time.
Interestingly, they both recalled that most of the people who visited the centre for assistance did not come alone and were supported by friends, family members or neighbours. Having a good support network around you is a big advantage in getting through life’s uncertainties and we see the benefits with many who contact the Affordable SA Helpline or seek Financial Counselling.
As the bushfires destroyed or temporarily closed many businesses, numerous people were left without a source of income. Sarah recalled that first and foremost people needed cash because unfortunately even during a natural disaster, you still need to buy groceries, pay school fees, buy petrol, register your car, etc.
Amongst the chaos and uncertainty, stories of the locals helping each other started to emerge. There were households providing shelter to up to 15 people, one person was feeding 30 people a day and a man used his own tractor to cut firebreaks around his own town to stop the fires from spreading. Even though these people may have been facing their own adversities, they put their own needs aside to assist their community…because that’s what islanders do.
I asked Sarah and James if their time on Kangaroo Island had made them reflect on their own life in any way. James said that seeing the impact of the bushfires made him feel grateful for what he has and not to worry about the little things. Sarah commented that it reinforced the importance of being prepared and having a plan in place if a natural disaster was to occur.
After seeing the damage first hand, I asked Sarah and James what the everyday South Australian could do to support the communities that have been impacted by the bushfires. They both echoed the call to support the local businesses and communities. Although a bushfire can create devastation there is something uniquely beautiful about how the Australian bush can rejuvenate itself. With our support the island will once again flourish.
Although the tables and chairs at the Kangaroo Island recovery centre are slowly being packed away and several services are returning to the mainland, many islanders are still experiencing the ongoing financial repercussions caused by the bushfires. In response to this next phase of the recovery process, The Salvation Army now has experienced financial counsellors based in both the Kingscote Community Centre on Kangaroo Island and at the Lobethal Recovery Centre in the Adelaide Hills. These staff will be there for the long haul, providing free financial counselling for people affected by the Kangaroo Island and Cudlee Creek bushfires.
We understand that there is a long road ahead for many people, therefore if you are experiencing financial hardship because of the Bushfires and you would like to speak to a financial counsellor call the Affordable SA Helpline on 1800 025 539 or drop into the Lobethal or Kingscote office to have a chat.
Lobethal - https://www.affordablesa.com.au/contact-us/lobethal-financial-counselling-recovery-centre
Kingscote - https://www.affordablesa.com.au/contact-us/kangaroo-island-the-salvation-army-financial-counselling
For more information about Fire and Disaster Recovery Services in South Australia see the attached link to the Affordable SA Website.
By Sam
Can you remember a time when you were watching the evening news and people in suits walked into a large, grey building carrying brief cases and boxes, while the reporter confirmed that a high-profile person or business had filed for bankruptcy? For many of us, the financial collapse of a multi-million dollar company or the financial downfall of a celebrity was our only window into the mysterious world of bankruptcy.
However, if we look past the multi-million dollar companies and the celebrities, here on the Helpline we receive several phone calls a day from everyday South Australians wishing to apply for bankruptcy for all kinds of debts because they believe it to be their only option.
A person may have credit card debt that has grown out of control, residual debts from a relationship breakdown that have now gone to debt collectors, a shortfall from the sale of a property, an insurance debt or a large electricity bill. Whatever the debts may be, people often look to bankruptcy as an option because it will make everything go away.
Although applying for bankruptcy may seem like a ‘quick fix’ solution, it is important that before you sign on the dotted line you are fully informed of all the options that are available to you and that if you choose to apply for bankruptcy, how the repercussions of this decision will affect the rest of your life.
Whether you have simply been thinking about bankruptcy as an option or the paperwork is sitting on your kitchen table waiting to be filled out, please consider speaking to a Financial Counsellor first to discuss your options.
To speak to a free Financial Counsellor call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or search for the National Debt Helpline on the Affordable SA App.
For more information about Bankruptcy, see the attached link from the Moneysmart website.
By Sam
In Australia, 15 out of every 100 women and 7 out of every 100 men experience financial abuse.
Financial abuse often occurs alongside other forms of domestic violence, such as physical, sexual and psychological abuse. It is reported that up to 9 out of 10 women who access domestic violence services have experienced financial abuse.
Who can be a perpetrator of financial abuse?
- Partners, husbands, wives, girlfriends or boyfriends (including exes)
- Carers or paid support workers
- Parents, guardians or other family members
- Adult children
- Other people you live with or see often
What are some of the signs of financial abuse?
- Has someone stopped, or attempted to stop you from accessing your bank account?
- Has someone stopped, or attempted to stop you from working or studying?
- Has someone refused to contribute financially to the household, or does contribute but not enough to cover basic household living expenses?
- Has someone pressured you to sign up for loans, credit cards, consumer leases, pay day loans or utility accounts in your name?
- Has someone damaged, stole or sold your property without your permission?
- Has someone stopped, or attempted to stop you from using social media, your mobile phone, internet or the family car?
- Has someone made you feel like you cannot manage money on your own?
If you, or someone you know, answered yes to any of the above questions it is important to speak to someone about the situation.
Who do I contact?
- 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) – 24 Hour counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
- National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007 – Free, confidential and independent service provided by Financial Counsellors who can guide you through your options to help you plan your way out of debt
For more information about financial abuse, see the attached video from 1800 Respect
For more information about domestic violence, see the attached link to the Domestic Violence section of the Affordable SA App
Back to school costs are no longer just about uniforms and stationery.
Over the last decade the emphasis on the technology used for education has meant kids require more access to laptops and mobile devices as part of their every day learning. This has meant a huge increase in schooling costs and puts even more pressure on parents finding it hard to cope with cost of living pressures.
Computers and mobile devices are now by far the most significant part of schooling costs for many families and finding the money at this time of the year can send people spiralling into more debt. Many will still have outstanding bills from Christmas.
How can you pay for your kids essential learning needs without sinking further into debt or needing to think about other forms of loans that may cost you a lot more?
Have you heard of NILS? The No Interest Loans Scheme run by Good Finance loans has helped many families to purchase white goods and household items such as fridges and washing machines without paying any interest or charges. No interest, no charges at all! Now the Good Finance NILS is available to help with your back to school needs including computer and text books.
Low Income earners and people in hardship can access this help.
No interest loans are the best and cheapest way for people on low incomes to cover household expenses and necessities, you only repay what you borrow, so you don’t get caught in a cycle of borrowing and debt.
To apply for a no interest loan, visit nils.com.au to find your nearest provider or check out more about NILS and other assistance available in South Australia see the Affordable SA App (download free on Apple and Google play) and website www.affordablesa.com.au or ring the Affordable SA Helpline on 1800 025 539.
By Graeme
And just like that the school holidays are over.
If you have children, the back to school frenzy is probably the next big financial thing in your life.
Whether a child is starting Reception or Year 12, the cost of education can have an extremely large impact on household finances.
Uniforms, bags, textbooks, stationery, school fees, camps, excursions, school photos, swimming carnivals, laptops, lunches…the list goes on.
Here on the Helpline, particularly this time of year, we hear many stories of families who are trying to juggle everyday living expenses in an attempt to buy laptops, school jumpers, school shoes or any other extra cost that may surface for the new school year.
For more information about how to reduce back to school costs, see the attached link to the Moneysmart website.
The Affordable SA App also has a dedicated section for Education. See the following link for more information https://www.affordablesa.com.au/programs/education
I often find that it’s around this time of the year when the shiny excitement of Christmas has well and truly worn off.
We all went through that strange period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve when we didn’t know what day it was. Easter buns then made a sudden and controversial appearance in supermarkets just days into the new year with Easter eggs following closely behind, in abundance. You may have already spent all the money on the gift card you received from your aunt as department stores push back-to-school items to the front of the aisles where the Christmas decorations once sparkled.
Christmas 2019 has now well and truly been left behind with credit card payments already eating into your 2020 earnings.
There are 8,760 hours in a year and Christmas Day makes up 24 yet planning for those brief hours of indulgence can take weeks of effort and sometime months of repayments. Here on the Helpline, we see the repercussions that the cost of Christmas can have on people’s financial situations. If not budgeted for, the ripple effect of Christmas can lead to electricity disconnections, defaults on credit reports, etc.
If the 2019 festive season caused you financial stress, consider starting to plan now…Christmas is only 336 days away!
We sat down with our Financial Counsellors and Financial Capability Workers here on the Helpline to discuss ways to plan for Christmas 2020.
‘One way to approach Christmas 2020 is to look at what you roughly spent in 2019 and divide that into fortnightly amounts (or however you get paid) and put that amount away each fortnight into a separate bank account or Christmas Club’.
‘Work out early on who is going to host Christmas lunch because if it is your turn, you may have to put extra money aside’.
‘If you are casually employed, find out early if your employer is closing over the Christmas break and for how long so you can start putting money aside now to cover essential living expenses while you are not working’.
‘Consider alternative options before signing up for a Christmas Hamper’ -https://www.affordablesa.com.au/news-articles/dont-let-a-christmas-hamper-put-a-damper-on-your-finances
For more tips on how to plan for Christmas 2020, see the attached link from the Moneysmart website, '12 Money Tips for Christmas’.
Christmas should be a time of enjoying family and friends without stressing about making basic ends meet. If you're counting the costs not the calories with each bite of the Christmas pudding, then you're setting yourself up for the Post-Christmas Blues and destined to lose any of the magic that Christmas brings.
If you've started 2020 and you are struggling with the financial repercussions of Christmas, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 to speak to a free Financial Counsellor about your options or search for The National Debt Helpline on the Affordable SA App.
By Sam
Our lives are filled with stuff.
Stuff can be found falling out of bathroom cabinets, hidden under beds, tucked into ceiling cavities, wedged behind couches, stacked up against garage walls and shoved into cupboards. To deal with stuff, many people choose to rent large metal boxes to lock their stuff away for months or even years at a time.
There are many reasons why people choose to put their stuff into storage. People may downsize their home, separate from a partner, leave their house, go into a retirement home or pass away, which ultimately leaves their stuff without a place to go.
Self-Storage can be a useful option for some people. However, as Financial Counsellors we often speak to people who have a storage unit but due to financial hardship have fallen behind on their payments. What people may not realise is that some storage facilities may not release your belongings to you unless you are up to date with your payments. Furthermore, if you fall too far behind on your payments your belongings may be sold at auction.
Therefore, before deciding to put your stuff into storage it is important to ask yourself the following questions:
- Can I afford a storage unit?
- Have I read the contract?
- Do I know what happens to my belongings if I cannot make the payments?
- Is the cost of maintaining the storage unit more than the cost of replacing my items?
- Do the items have sentimental value? If yes, is there an alternative option, such as a storing the items with a friend or family member?
- Can some of my belongings be stored electronically (e.g. documents and photos)?
- Will I need the items within the next 12 months? If not, could the items be sold or donated?
If you have fallen behind on your storage repayments and you would like to talk to a Financial Counsellor about your situation, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or search for the National Debt Helpline on the Affordable SA App.
By Sam