As the end of the year draws to a close and Christmas is well and truly nigh, it seems a perfect time to review what financial supports are available to help you stretch your dollars further or recover from any unexpected costs that may have arisen. So, whether a person in your care needs assistance managing and saving their money or you need an immediate injection of food or funds to help make the season feel more festive, have a look through the following links to see if there’s a service that might bring you some added cheer:
Christmas hampers/gift assistance
The Salvation Army offers free hampers and gifts to eligible applicants. Call the general enquiry line for more information: 137258. Website: Food hamper and gift assistance | The Salvation Army Australia
Wesley Mission Brisbane Relief Centre. Drop-In Support in Fortitude Valley: https://www.wmq.org.au/crisis-relief/brisbane-relief-hub
St Vincent de Paul - As an unprecedented number of Queenslanders face a festive season filled with financial burden and stress rather than hope and joy, Vinnies’ Members and Volunteers across the state have been working overtime to gather and distribute hampers of goods, including food, vouchers and toys, for those doing it tough this Christmas. Those in need of support this Christmas are encouraged to reach out to Vinnies Helpline on 1800 846 643
The Smith Family are offering e-gift vouchers for children’s toys (in lieu of toy and book gift packs). Accessible to children who are part of the Learning for Life program. https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/donate/give/toy-and-book-appeal
Free Christmas Lunch Saturday 25 Dec:
The Hope Centre, Bowen Hills: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/hope-centres-community-christmas-day-lunch-tickets-769227589427
Free Christmas events and services around Brisbane:
Lots of free entertainment and activities in Brisbane is available on this link (which includes references to Brisbane City Council offerings): What’s On for Christmas in Brisbane 2023 (christmasinaustralia.com.au)
Festive Footpaths – Brisbane City Council encourages residents to celebrate and enjoy festive occasions within our communities. To help get into the spirit of the festive season, Council has introduced the Festive Footpaths program where Brisbane residents can decorate their footpath and street trees during designated periods. The program will cover the 2023 Halloween and Christmas period: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/laws-and-permits/laws-and-permits-for-residents/footpaths-and-driveways/using-or-closing-a-road-or-footpath/festive-footpaths
Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld: Pre-Christmas Get Together and Free Lunch: https://wildlife.org.au/event/wildlife-queensland-brisbane-branch-pre-christmas-get-together/
Salvo’s Christmas Carols – Carindale: Carindale (Salvo) Carols – Carindale
3:30pm – 7:00pm 10 December 2023. Activities for kids/families Jumping Castle, Petting Zoo, Food/cake stalls 5pm Carols service. Address:
202 Gallipoli Road, CARINDALE QLD 4152FREE Indoor Christmas Picnic, Ipswich: FREE Event – Indoor Christmas Picnic Ipswich – 18+ only Tickets, Wed 13/12/2023 at 11:00 am | Eventbrite
Services where your donation may be tax deductible and/or make a difference to those in need over Christmas:
Salvation Army Christmas Appeal: Get involved this Christmas | The Salvation Army Australia
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal: Vinnies Christmas Appeal – St Vincent de Paul Society
Wesley Mission Crisis Relief: https://www.wmq.org.au/crisis-relief
Uniting Care: Loads of Love 2023 » https://www.loadsoflove.org.au/
Mayor’s Christmas Appeal (Townsville): Home – Mayor’s Christmas Appeal (townsville.qld.gov.au)
Ongoing emergency assistance and crisis payments
Emergency Relief - Queensland Government has a website listing contact details for services providing emergency relief like food vouchers, food parcels and third-party payments throughout Queensland: Emergency Relief Program | Community support | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Centrelink offers crisis payments for eligible applicants experiencing severe financial hardship. Website: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/crisis-payment
Belong offers emergency relief and food to people in need within Brisbane South and Ipswich regions. See their website for more information about their services: Emergency Relief – Belong
The Salvation Army may offer emergency financial assistance if they provide services in your area. Phone: 1300 371 288 (business hours). Website: Financial Assistance | The Salvation Army Australia
St Vincent de Paul offer no interest loans to eligible applicants. Phone: 1800 484 664. Website: No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) – St Vincent de Paul Society – Good Works (vinnies.org.au)
Wesley Mission. They operate a drop-in service for food hampers during business hours (closed from 12-1pm). Applicants must provide proof of low income and supply a photo ID. Phone: 1300 403 198. Email: contactus@wmq.org.au
Carer specific payments
- Carer Payments are available through Centrelink for eligible carers. These include the Carer Payment Carer Payment – Services Australia Carer Allowance Carer Supplement – Services Australia and Carer Supplement Carer Supplement – Services Australia To see what other payments you may be eligible for details can be found at the Payment Finder – Services Australia (centrelink.gov.au)
- Queensland Government offers a range of concessions and rebates via their Smart Saving site which may be relevant for carers: Smart Savings Concessions and Rebates (premiers.qld.gov.au).
- Carer Friendly Business Discount Card - Eligible carers can apply for this Queensland Government program. The card then enables carers to receive discounts on a range of goods and service at participating businesses throughout Queensland. Carer Business Discount Card | Community support | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
- Carers Queensland offer ‘No Interest Loans’ from $300 up to $1500 to assist carers experiencing financial stress who meet their eligibility requirements. Phone during business hours on: (07) 3900 8100. Website: No Interest Loans – Carers Queensland (carersqld.com.au)
- The Carer’s Gateway lists information about a range of payments and benefits on their website: Financial help | Carer Gateway Carers are also encouraged to register with the Carer Gateway as they could be eligible for supports to assist them in their caring role.
- Young Carer Bursary Program - Carers aged 12-25 years old can apply for this bursary to assist them to continue in their education. Applications are usually open from August to September for a $3000 bursary in the following year. Young Carer Bursary | Young Carers Network
Free financial counselling services and advice
- The National Debt Hotline provides a free and confidential service that offers resources, advice and referrals via phone on 1800 007 007 (business hours). Website: Welcome Page – National Debt Helpline (ndh.org.au)
- Beyond Blue and Financial Counselling Australia have partnered to provide access to financial information and support: Financial wellbeing (beyondblue.org.au)
- Moneysmart offers free guidance and simple tools, tips and calculators to help people of all ages, backgrounds and incomes to build a better life: About us – Moneysmart.gov.au
- Moneymob is a service for people with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origins wanting further financial advice and support. Phone: 1800 849 041 (business hours). Website: MoneyMob Talkabout | For a future where Anangu are ninti with their money
- Financial Literacy for Women - The Migration Council of Australian offers a free program for women who want to learn more about becoming financially literate via the following website: Financial Literacy for Women (myauslearning.org.au)
