A confidential, no-cost service is available for individuals facing financial difficulties or hardship in Western Adelaide. The service offers essential items such as Foodbank vouchers, transport assistance, chemist vouchers, and bill payments when necessary.
Additionally, the team can connect clients with other community supports, including housing assistance, multicultural services, and financial wellbeing services.
How to Access Assistance
Funded by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Social Services, this service aims to provide emergency assistance in Western Adelaide.
Customer Pays Card (CPC)/White Card
For those requesting a Customer Pays Card (CPC), also known as a White Card, and who are existing UCWB clients, an online referral form must be completed. Once the request is made, FoodBank will be contacted, and the CPC will be made available at the chosen location within two business days. An SMS notification will be sent once the action is completed. New clients are not eligible for this request.
Other Assistance
For emergency assistance, contact the UCWB team at (08) 8245 7139, Monday to Friday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Residents of Western Adelaide can also complete an online referral form. If a call is not received or missed between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the day of contact, a follow-up call should be made the next business day, or another online form should be submitted.
To ensure a response, leave a full name, suburb, contact number, and details of the assistance required. Incomplete messages will not be returned. If outside the catchment zone, other government-funded emergency assistance providers are available.
Additional Resources
UnitingCare emergency relief centres offer food, clothing, and essential items and are located at Uniting Churches across Adelaide. When contacting these centres, mention that the referral came from UnitingCare Wesley Bowden.
Emergency Assistance refers to the broad support offered to people who need help with everyday living costs along with the impacts that can be felt when facing poverty and disadvantage. When someone calls Vinnies for help they are linked with a Vinnies member (voluntary role) in their local area. Through personal contact, Vinnies provides material and financial support, as well as comfort, hope, and friendship. Where appropriate, members will also work with people to help break the cycle of poverty - this may be through referral to other agencies or advocacy.
How Vinnies can assist:
- Food parcels, grocery gift cards and clothing
- Other everyday necessities
- Referral to relevant services
- Assistance with completing forms and housing applications
- Assistance with bills (e.g. utility bills)
- Resources, information and advocacy.
How to access emergency assistance:
Adelaide metro area:
Call 1300 729 202 between 9am and 1pm, Monday to Friday.
Regional South Australia:
Visit your local Vinnies shop.