ASSISTED REFERRAL PROGRAM

 
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WHAT IS THE ASSISTED REFERRAL PROGRAM?

During times of crisis or financial stress, members often find themselves having to decide between buying food or paying rent or paying bills. When this occurs, we offer a range of supports that can help to alleviate financial stress and take some of the pressure off.

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Food Vouchers - Coles & Oasis Shop Vouchers

Chemist Vouchers - Blooms (Wyong)

Fuel Vouchers - Woolworths Service Stations ONLY

Opal Cards

Community Pantry

FOOD, CHEMIST & FUEL VOUCHERS

Important Info:

Please download and read the document below:

ER from July 2021

 

Emergency Relief will now be known as the “Assisted Referral Program”.

 

A full assessment of your situation will be conducted, including a budget analysis and service plan.

 

The assessment will take approximately 60 minutes.

 

All appointments are over conducted over the phone.

 

There will be only 5 available appointments per day, the first 5 people to provide all the necessary documentation will be allocated an appointment.

 

We are able to provide assistance for those living in the suburbs below:

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2259 Suburbs

  • Alison

  • Dooralong

  • Durren Durren

  • Hamlyn Terrace

  • Jilliby and Little Jilliby

  • Mardi

  • Ravensdale

  • Rocky Point

  • Tacoma and South Tacoma

  • Tuggerah

  • Tuggerawong

  • Wadalba

  • Warnervale

  • Watanobbi

  • Wyong

  • Wyong Creek

  • Wyongah

  • Yarramalong

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2258 Suburbs

  • Fountaindale

  • Kangy Angy

  • Ourimbah

  • Palm Grove

  • Palmdale

 

2261 Suburbs

  • Berkeley Vale

  • Chittaway Bay

  • Chittaway Point

  • Glenning Valley

 

All other areas will be referred to other Emergency Relief programs such as:

  • San Remo Neighbourhood Centre

  • Toukley Neighbourhood Centre

  • The Entrance Neighbourhood Centre

  • The Samaritans

  • Catholic Care

  • St Vinnies

  • Wesley Mission

CONTACT NAME

Megan Maher

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CONTACT PHONE

02 4353 1750

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CONTACT EMAIL

support@wnci.com.au

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Assistance will be for those with 2259/2258/2261 postcodes and living in the suburbs listed on the left hand side of this page.

 

The Assisted Referral team conducts assessments for assistance each day that there is a worker present:

  • 9.30am

  • 10.30am

  • 11.30am

  • 1.30pm

  • 2.30pm

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You will need to bring:

  • Evidence of income for you (and your partner) – access to MyGov is recommended during your appointment

  • Bank Statements (including credit card statements)

  • Evidence of any debts and the repayments regularly made

  • Recent bills paid and outstanding

  • Evidence of rent/board/mortgage paid (rent receipts or ledger, bank statement, mortgage statement, letter from landlord with contact details for landlord)

  • Any other evidence of hardship

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HOW TO BOOK

Phone for an appointment between 9am and 9.30am for the best chance of securing an appointment.

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PLEASE ALSO NOTE

  • You must actively participate in the assessment and cooperate with the referral worker or you may be refused service or offered very limited assistance.

  • There is no ENTITLEMENT to any particular number of visits. You will be assessed using a number of tools and assistance will be given based on level of crisis, disadvantage and willingness to participate in good faith.

  • EAPA (Energy Accounts Payment Assistance) will be offered during Assisted Referral sessions. No EAPA will be offered without a full assessment. EAPA may be refused if there is a history of regular reliance on the scheme without regular payments being made to cover current usage.

  • Anyone who attends the centre without an appointment or without bringing the required documentation may receive only minimal assistance or be refused assistance on that day.

  • Follow-up appointments will be made and must be kept, in order to receive assistance in the future, failure to keep these appointments may result in limited services being offered later.

  • You may be asked to use a ‘Track My Spending’ app or tool for 2 to 4 weeks in order to receive further assistance.

  • You will be asked to consider participating in the Tackling Tobacco program.

  • You may be referred to other outside services to address other needs you may have.

  • You may be referred to the TACKLING TOBACCO program or Financial Counselling with our Financial Cousellor who specialises in Gambling related debt.

  • Oasis vouchers will be offered to those who decline the “Assisted Referral Program” or who have failed to attend follow up appointments with the Referral Worker.

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COMMUNITY PANTRY

PROGRAM DETAILS

Our pantry is stocked with donations from our community, local businesses and organisations who support us throughout the year. We make up Hampers according to the individual needs of the member or offer items from the Community Kitchen.

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We accept donations of:

  • Tinned meat

  • Tinned Spaghetti

  • Tinned Tuna/Salmon

  • Baked Beans

  • Tinned Vegetables (Peas, Beans, Corn & Carrots)

  • Tinned Tomatoes

  • Pasta

  • Rice

  • Pasta Sauce

  • Bottled Recipe Bases

  • 2 Minute Noodles

  • Pasta & Sauce Mixes

  • UHT Milk

  • Cereal

  • Deodorant

  • Shampoo/Conditioner

  • Body Wash

  • Toothbrushes/Toothpaste

  • Hair Brushes/Combs

  • Razors

  • Shaving Cream/Gel

  • Sanitary Items