Programs

[Relationships Australia](https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/) provides a range of free financial counselling services and support to anyone affected by problem gambling.

Gambling becomes a problem if someone spends more time or money than they can afford to, or if it is having a negative impact on their relationships.

Please contact the Gambling Help Service to speak to a counsellor or make an appointment. You can make an enquiry [here](https://gamblinghelpsa.org.au/contact-us/?location=220%20Victoria%20Square,%20Adelaide%20SA%205000,%20Australia&radius=150) online through their web site.

After hours call the Gambling Hotline on 1800 858 858 or chat online with a counsellor at [gamblinghelponline.org.au](https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/) and click on "Chat Now".

Up to $3,000 per household is available to farmers, farm workers or farm suppliers/contractors who are struggling financially because of the drought.

Payments can help cover expenses such as groceries, vehicle maintenance, energy and utility bills, health and medical expenses.

To be eligible you must:

- Be currently living in an eligible drought affected area in South Australia

- Be over 18

- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

- Live/work in a specified Local Government Area (LGA)

- Have not already received DCSI – Round 2 assistance since 19 November 2019 (only one payment per household)

Around the country and in South Australia St Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army are working to deliver these assistance packages. Please apply or contact the provider in your area.

Vinnies: Barossa, Berri, Barmera, Ceduna, Claire, Gilbert Valleys, Cleve, Copper Coast, Flinders Rangers, Franklin Harbour, Goyder, Kangaroo Island, Kimba, Light, Loxton, Wakerie, Mount Remarkable, Northern Areas, Orroroo, Carrieton, Port Pirie City and District, Renmark, Paringa, Southern Mallee, Streaky Bay, Tatiara, The Coorong, Unincorporated Far North SA, Wakefield, Wudinna, Yorke Peninsula.

The Salvation Army: Alexandrina, Karoonda East Murray, Mid Murray, Murray Bridge, Peterborough,

If you are having trouble paying bills or making repayments on a loan or debt you can ask your lender or service provider for financial hardship assistance.

Doing something about it straight away can make a big difference as the sooner you make contact the more options that are available.

The first thing to do is to contact your lender or service provider to discuss your situation and options. Most companies, banks and service providers have a hardship team that you can speak to.

If you've received notice that you are being taken to court because of a debt please seek [free legal advice](https://lsc.sa.gov.au/) straight away.

For further information on how to ask for financial hardship assistance and your rights go to Moneysmart's [website](https://moneysmart.gov.au/managing-debt/financial-hardship) or the National Debt Helpline [website](https://ndh.org.au/debt-solutions/what-is-financial-hardship-and-what-are-your-rights/).

If you are experiencing financial hardship, and wish to have a free, confidential and independent conversation and access to a free financial counselling service that will consider all your options for dealing with your debt and getting back on track call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or click on the number below.

Lenders and service providers use your credit score (credit rating) to work out if they will give you credit, lend you money or provide you with a service.

Your credit score is determined by what is in your credit report such as how much money you have borrowed, how many credits applications you have made and whether you have defaulted on a payment.

You can obtain a free copy of your credit report once each year. You may have to pay if you want a copy in less than 10 days or ask for more than one copy in a year. Avoid any provider that asks you to pay for your credit score or asks for your credit card details.

For further information on credit reports, credit scores, and how you obtain one go to the Moneysmart [website](https://moneysmart.gov.au/managing-debt/credit-scores-and-credit-reports) or the National Debt Helpline [website](https://ndh.org.au/debt-problems/bad-credit-rating/get-your-credit-report/).

If you think your credit report has an error, you can arrange it yourself for free. For more information click on the link [here](https://www.affordablesa.com.au/programs/money-and-finances/credit-repair).

If you are experiencing financial hardship, and wish to have a free, confidential and independent conversation and access to a free financial counselling service that will consider all your options for dealing with your debt and getting back on track call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or click on the number below.

You have the right to have errors on your credit report corrected for free.

Be wary of companies offering to repair or clean your credit report. If there is an error on the credit report, you can have this fixed for free. Information that is correct, even if you don’t like it, can't be removed.

For further information on credit repair and fixing your credit report go to the Moneysmart [website](https://moneysmart.gov.au/managing-debt/credit-repair) or the National Debt Helpline [website](https://ndh.org.au/Debt-problems/Bad-credit-rating/Fix-your-credit-report/).

For information on credit scores and credit reports go [here](https://www.affordablesa.com.au/programs/money-and-finances/credit-reports-and-scores).

If you are experiencing financial hardship, and wish to have a free, confidential and independent conversation and access to a free financial counselling service that will consider all your options for dealing with your debt and getting back on track call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or click on the number below.

[Centrepay](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/centrepay) is a free and voluntary service to pays bills and expenses as regular payments from your Centrelink payment. It is available to anyone who receives a regular Centrelink payment and can be used to pay for many expenses for example: rent, electricity, gas, and mobile phone.

For more information on what Centrepay is, how to use it and what you can use it for click [here](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/centrepay).

[Moneysmart](https://moneysmart.gov.au/) helps all Australians take control of their money and build a better life with free tools, tips and guides. MoneySmart was created by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Government's corporate regulator.

Moneysmart has information about managing your money and reducing debt. It provides tools and resources to help you do this such as a budget planner.

Bankruptcy is a legal process where you're declared unable to pay your debts. It can release you from most debts, provide relief and allow you to make a fresh start.

You can choose to enter into bankruptcy. Bankruptcy normally lasts for 3 years and 1 day. To apply for Bankruptcy, you need to complete and submit a Bankruptcy Form to the [Australian Financial Security Authority](https://www.afsa.gov.au/) (AFSA). This can be done through [AFSA](https://www.afsa.gov.au/) or you can contact them on 1300 364 785 and ask for it to be posted to you.

[AFSA](https://www.afsa.gov.au/) manages the application of bankruptcy and the personal property securities register in Australia. They offer information and links to advice on:

- What to do if you can't pay your debts.

- The process and consequences of bankruptcy and debt agreements.

- Checking security interests registered against a second hand vehicle, eg: whether it is reported stolen, written off, or at risk of repossession.

- Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) which may help to establish ownership in a dispute or solvency scenario.

- What to do if owed money.

If you are thinking about going bankrupt, you can speak to a financial counsellor to discuss your options for dealing with your debt and getting back on track.

To speak to a financial counsellor please call the [National Debt Helpline](https://ndh.org.au/) on 1800 007 007.

[Zahra](https://www.zahrafoundation.org.au/) provides a specialist financial counselling service for women affected by domestic and family violence related debt and financial hardship.

The service is free and confidential. To make an appointment please call or enquire online [here](https://www.zahrafoundation.org.au/contact/).