Programs

Confident Budgeting is a free six week program helping you to learn techniques in mastering money. This course covers a range of topics:

- How to save money

- Goal setting

- Assertiveness

- Getting organised

- Affirmations

- Scams and poverty traps

- Centrelink issues

- Family Budgeting

Please contact MarionLife for details on when the next course is running, and locations. This course is funded by the Government of South Australia.

'You're the Boss' is Moneycare's own unique financial literacy program, written in easy English.

The program delivers key messages in an engaging style designed to empower participants.

We work on the belief that everyone can manage their own financial affairs, once they are given the information, tools and opportunity.

The program is divided into individual sections such as: Everyday Banking - Paying Bills on Time - Finding the Right Insurance - Looking out for Scams - Sorting Paperwork, and other useful topics.

See the website linked below for more information.

Stay in touch with the Events section of the Affordable SA app for more information about workshops in your area.

The banking industry believes that banking should be affordable for all Australians. Most banks now offer basic bank accounts to suit disadvantaged and low income Australians.

The Australian Banking Association has identified the following features of basic bank accounts:

- No account keeping fees

- Free account statements

- No minimum deposit amounts

- Ability to set up and cancel direct debits

- No overdrawn fees

- Ability to access a debit card at no extra cost

- Free and unlimited transactions

Follow the link below to find out about eligibility and other related information

IBA serves, partners, and invests with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to own their future.

IBA invests and supports in individuals, families, and communities in the areas of business, assets and investment, and home ownership.

Follow the link below for more information.

If you fall behind on your loan, credit card or utility bills and don't contact your provider or respond to them, a debt collector may contact you. A debt collector could be the original credit or service provider collecting the debt themselves or a debt collection agency acting on the creditor's behalf. Sometimes debts are sold and the buyer of the debts is the one doing the collecting. A debt collector can contact you to: - Provide information about your account - Make a demand for payment - Offer to settle your account or make alternative payment arrangements - Review existing arrangements after an agreed period - Explain the consequences of you not paying, including any legal action the collector or creditor can take - Explain any restrictions to your utilities e.g disconnecting your electricity /gas or restricting your water supply - Inspect or recover mortgaged goods (if they have a right to do so) - Find out why you have not responded to attempts to contact you (if this is the case) - Find out why you have not kept to an agreed repayment plan (if this is the case) Debt collectors can contact you in a variety of ways, for example, by phone, letter, email, social media or by visiting you in person. Debt collectors must respect your right to privacy at all times. By law, a debt collector cannot reveal that they are a debt collector or provide information about your financial situation to another person without your permission. There are restrictions on the times you are allowed to be contacted. Unless you request or agree otherwise. By Phone - No more than 3 times per week or 10 times per month. Weekdays - 7.30am to 9pm and Weekends - 9am to 9pm Face to face visits - No more than once a month and should only visit your home if there is no other way to contact you. Visiting you at work should be a last option. Weekdays and weekends - 9am to 9pm. There is no need for a debt collector to visit you in person if repayment arrangements can be worked out over the phone, or by email or letter. However a debt collector may visit you if you have not responded to other attempts to contact you. No contact should be made on National public holidays. If a debt collector uses email, social media or similar technology to contact you about a debt you owe, they must be reasonably sure that the account is not shared with another person and that their message cannot be viewed by anyone except you. Here are the things debt collectors are not allowed to do, that are against the law. - Force, trespass or intimidate - Use or threaten physical force of any kind towards you,any member of your family/people connected with you - Damage or threaten to damage your property - Block access to your property or block your way - Remain on your property when asked to leave, unless they have a Court Order - Behaviour like this should be reported to the police immediately. - Harassment, verbal abuse or overbearing behaviour - Shout at or verbally abuse you (including making personal or demeaning comments) - Use obscene or racist language - Contact you more than necessary or at unreasonable times - False or misleading statements or deceptive conduct - Make false statements about the money you owe or what will happen if the debt is not paid (e.g. repossess your car) - Send letters demanding payment that are designed to look like court documents - Pretend to be or to act for a solicitor, court or government body - Unfair and unconscionable conduct A debt collector should not take advantage of you: - If you are disadvantaged because of illness, disability, age, illiteracy or other circumstances - If you are not familiar with the law, the debt recovery process, or the consequences of not paying the debt You can complain about harassment or misconduct by debt collector to the ACCC- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission or ASIC - Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

Essentials by AAI, supported by Good Shephard Microfinance and Suncorp Group, provide affordable car and contents insurance options for low income earners who may not be able to afford mainstream insurance policies.

To be eligible:

- Have a Healthcare card

- Receive a Centerlink payment, or

- Have an annual household income of approximately $48,000 or less (excluding superannuation)

For more information call Essentials by AAI on 1800 429 598 or email contactus@essentialsbyaai.com.au

If you are a victim of domestic violence, natural disaster or in charge of a deceased estate, you may be eligible for a free mail direction service.

How to apply:

You can apply in person at any Australia Post location. You will need to complete the application to redirect your mail, provide proof of identity and any additional requirements. Further information can be found on the Australia Post website.

If you need help lodging your tax return, you may be eligible for the Tax Help program. Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax.

Tax Help is available from July to October in all capital cities and many regional areas across Australia. You are eligible for Tax Help if you're a low income earner and you did not: - work as a contractor, for example a contract cleaner or taxi driver - run a business, including as a sole trader - have partnership or trust matters - sell shares or an investment property - own a rental property - have capital gains tax (CGT) - receive royalties - receive distributions from a trust, other than a managed fund - receive foreign income, other than a foreign pension or annuity.

Volunteers can help you lodge your tax return or amendment online or claim a refund of franking credits. If the volunteers work out that you don’t need to lodge a tax return, they can help you complete a non-lodgment advice. To book an appointment If you’re eligible for Tax Help, you will need a myGov account linked to the ATO. If necessary, the volunteers can help you create your myGov account and link to the ATO.

Remember to bring these to your appointment: - your myGov user ID and password - your bank account details (BSB and account number) - your tax file number - an original or amended notice of assessment from any one of the last five years - income statements from all sources - all your receipts for gifts, donations and work-related expenses - details of any child support payments made - details of any losses on investments in shares and rental properties (net investment losses) - If you had a spouse (married or de-facto) at any time during the financial year, you also need to bring details of their taxable income or a reasonable estimate.

Unclaimed money is money from lost bank accounts, shares, investments and life insurance policies. This money becomes lost when you move house and forget to update your details with a financial institution or company.

This money is available to be claimed at any time by the rightful owner and there is no time limit on claims.

- Bank accounts become unclaimed after 7 years if the account is inactive (no deposits or withdrawals).

- Life insurance policies become unclaimed 7 years after the policy matures and is not claimed.

The unclaimed money search is a simple system to use. Enter your name and see the results in a few seconds. There is no cost associated by using this government service but be aware that there are private, advertised companies who will use this free system and charge you a fee for looking on your behalf.

If you have changed jobs several times over the years you may have superannuation associated in different super funds that are considered inactive. You can identify unclaimed super by linking your myGov account to the ATO and follow the instructions. It is not as simple as searching for unclaimed money but worthwhile as these amounts may be consolidated with your current fund.