Emergency relief

Emergency Relief is short-term financial support to help people meet urgent needs in times of crisis.

The program is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Social Services.

If you’re going through a tough time financially and don’t have many resources to make things better, you may be able to access this one-off support.

Emergency Relief can be used to support eligible people who are experiencing financial stress or hardship and don’t have the resources to manage on their own.

Currently, we can only deliver the supports we are contracted to provide in each region. If we are unable to deliver support within your region, we will try our best to provide you with the details for your local services.

After an assessment, you may be able to get help with things like:

food parcels or clothing
referral to financial counselling
fuel, registration, or licence renewal
chemist or medical costs
rent in advance or help with rent arrears
part-payment of utility bills

Program access

Emergency Relief is delivered from our Bendigo and Preston offices.

To check eligibility, learn more or book an appointment please contact us.

Phone: 1300 428 364

Bendigo – (Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm) 10 -16 Forest Street, Bendigo

Preston – (Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm) 52 – 56 Mary Street, Preston Vic 3072

Please bring along your identification and any supporting documents such as bills to your appointment.

*If you need URGENT homelessness support on a weekend, after hours or on a public holiday please call Victoria’s statewide after-hours service (St Kilda Crisis Centre) 1800 825 955.