$328 million to help financially vulnerable Australians

Australians experiencing financial hardship will have support to meet their basic needs in times of crisis thanks to Turnbull Government funding.

Applications are now open for funding to help community organisations provide eligible individuals and families with financial crisis assistance and education through the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity grant round.

From a pool of $328 million, the Turnbull Government will provide:

• up to $200 million for Emergency Relief to support community organisations help individuals and families with immediate basic needs in times of crisis;
• $80 million for Food Relief, Commonwealth Financial Counselling and Financial Capability and Financial Counselling Helpline services;
• $48 million for Financial Counselling for Problem Gambling, Money Support Hubs and Financial Resilience.

A stronger economy means the Turnbull Government can guarantee essential services, like support for Australians experiencing financial hardship.

Around 400 community organisations are expected to benefit from the Government funding. This grant funding will guarantee service providers can continue their excellent work supporting people to navigate financial crises and build financial wellbeing, capability and resilience.

About 26,000 people benefited from Commonwealth Financial Counselling Helpline services last year. Financial counselling services are working in the community and improving lives.

The Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity has been redesigned to improve service delivery, after consultation with the sector.

New grant agreements will be in place from 1 January 2019. Applications for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity open grants round close on 22 August 2018. For more information or to apply for a grant, go to GrantConnect. For more information about the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity redesign, go to the Department of Social Services website.