Programs

The ASFSA

Manages the application of bankruptcy and personal property securities laws through the delivery of high quality personal insolvency and trustee, regulation and enforcement, and personal property securities services.

They offer information and links to advice on

- unmanageable debt

- the process and consequences of bankruptcy

- information regarding money owed on a second hand vehicle, whether stolen or is safe from repossession.

- PPSR which is a personal property register that may help to establish ownership un a dispute or solvency scenario.

- what to do if owed money.

Assist South Australian women and children affected by domestic and family violence, empowering them and providing pathways towards economic independence. They can provide Financial Counselling and workshops aimed at providing post crisis opportunities to further financial empowerment of women suffering from domestic violence. They provide some small grants to assist education and break the cycle of domestic violence.

Zahra hopes to: - instill HOPE and optimism in the lives of women and their children - provide women and their children with a range of financial and educational OPPORTUNITIES - build meaningful relationships and PARTNERSHIPS with the business and community sector - deliver programs and create opportunities that promote women’s economic EMPOWERMENT Information about events and opportunities are mostly provided via their facebook page.

Saver Plus is a matched savings (up to $500) and financial education program that can assist you to:

• reach a savings goal

• become a regular saver

• build your money management skills.

Saver Plus provides an opportunity to have every dollar saved (up to $500) matched with an additional dollar for your own or your family’s education-related expenses.

Participants make regular deposits towards a savings goal over a 10-month period and attend workshops to build their financial management skills. When participants reach their savings goal, ANZ matches the amount – up to $500 – towards education costs including uniforms, text books, laptops, sports equipment, music tuition, TAFE or apprenticeship costs, and much more.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible to join Saver Plus if you:

• have a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card

• are at least 18 years old

• have some regular income from work (you or your partner) including casual, part-time, full-time or seasonal employment

• have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself.

The program will set a 10-month savings goal with help from your Saver Plus Worker after you open an ANZ Progress Saver account.

The program also includes 10 hours of fun, informal financial education workshops.

If you successfully complete the program, ANZ matches your savings dollar-for-dollar, up to $500. This money can be used for education costs (either your children's or your own) such as computers, uniforms, books and sports equipment.

Over 32 000 people have previously participated in the program which is available in 60 locations around Australia. The Smith Family manages the program in South Australia with several face-to-face “Saver Plus” workers in locations around Adelaide to assist you in every aspect of the program. These are in:

- Adelaide Northern region.

- Port Adelaide, Enfield and Charles Sturt.

- Salisbury and Playford.

- South Adelaide

Financial Counselling for rural businesses and struggling families with real expertise about "on the land" issues.

Providing a Free, Independent, Confidential and Professional Rural Financial Counselling service to eligible primary producers including cattle producers, fruit and vegetable growers, fishermen, foresters and harvesters and small related businesses who are facing financial difficulties.

Pre-arranged flexible appointments ar available at your business, on your property or in our regional offices.

Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Eyre Peninsula (Eastern), Eyre Peninsula (Western and Lower), Fleurieu Peninsula, Flinders Rangers, Kangaroo Island, Mallee, Mid North, Murray, Riverland, South East, Yorke Peninsula

Workshops and Financial Literacy programs with successful examples and information regarding available grants.

Helping people to resolve consumer credit problems including debt, hardship, credit law issues involving disputes with creditors, bankruptcy, mortgage stress, inability to negotiate payment plans and conduct by creditors.

It is a free service and provides access to specialist legal advice, financial counselling and legal representation in areas of credit, banking and finance. The website has listings for specific areas of help such as Motor Vehicle, Telcos, Utilities and home repossessions, going to court as well as issues related to Bad Credit History, Consumer Leases, Credit Card problems and Hardship issues.

Locations:

Adelaide, Medindie Gardens, Smithfield and Christies Beach

Open Monday – Friday, 9am- 5pm.

Speckle offers an alternative when you need a small loan for life's expenses (without the hidden costs). They are an Australian small lender run by a not-for-profit which means all fees and charges go back into keeping costs as low as possible so more people can borrow better. Loans from $200 to $2000 available within a few days.

Speckle was created by Good Shepherd Microfinance and National Australia Bank (NAB). Speckle loans are issued by Good Shepherd Microfinance.

Good Shepherd Microfinance bring a long history of putting people first in providing fair and affordable finance. They are most well-known for the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) – a safe, fair and affordable loan for people who have problems accessing credit. As a not-for-profit organisation, Good Shepherd Microfinance works closely with local communities to provide access to financial products that meet the essential needs of many Australians.

National Australia Bank (NAB) has joined forces with Good Shepherd Microfinance for over 14 years to help build a stronger and more resilient Australia, providing more people with access to appropriate and affordable financial products and services.

If you are experiencing financial hardship a loan might not be the answer. Call the Affordable SA Helpline on 1800 025 539 or the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. Speak to a Financial Counsellor and review your options, there may be another alternative or assistance available. Financial Counsellors are free, independent and confidential. They are on your side and can help negotiate issues with service providers, debt and budget problems.

Some companies charge customers a fee each time they send out a paper bill. If you can't receive bills electronically, fee exemptions may be available if you:

are a senior

are registered for a concession

receive income support

don't have internet access

What to do

Ask each company that sends you a bill and about their exemption criteria and how to apply.

If you have checked with a provider that you are eligible for an exemption, but are having trouble getting your exemption processed, please contact the South Australian Consumer Business Services.

Looking for an affordable loan, insurance, savings plan or needing help to create a new business startup? Good Money can help you.

The store front in Salisbury may look like a normal money lender but is part of the Good Shepherd Microfinance network offering safe, affordable and responsible financial services for people on low incomes. They can also provide referrals to other services such as free financial counselling and legal aid.

You can speak to someone and apply in store to obtain a range of products and services that can help such as:

[NILS](https://affordablesa.com.au/programs/money-and-finances/no-interest-loans-scheme-nils) - No Interest Loans up to $1500 for essential goods and services such as white goods, furniture and educational expenses.

[StepUP Loans](https://affordablesa.com.au/programs/money-and-finances/stepup-loan) - Low interest loans of between $800 - $3000 with no fees and affordable repayments offered in partnership with NAB.

Loans cannot be made for cash, bills, debts, fines, rent or bond. Please see a Financial Counselor for help

[Affordable Insurance](https://affordablesa.com.au/programs/money-and-finances/good-insurance-for-low-income-earners) - Simple car and contents insurance with flexible payment options

[Launch Me](https://goodshepherdmicrofinance.org.au/services/launchme/) - Supports individuals to develop and establish their own providing help in key areas such as Coaching, Mentoring, Business planning, Building skills, Building Networks and Finance

"Good Money provides safe, fair and affordable finance to add value to your life without compromising your ability to live."

To help with the general cost of living a state government concession is available to eligible South Australians on low or fixed incomes.

You may be eligible for the Cost of Living Concession, for your principal place of residence, if this was your principal place of residence on 1 July of the relevant financial year and held one of the following cards:

- a Pensioner Concession Card

- Gold Card from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI), Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA), War Widow

- Gold Card from the Department of Veterans' Affairs issued to a person with 80 or more overall impairment points under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004

- Low Income Health Care Card

- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

- State Concession Card

OR one of the following eligible Centrelink payments:

- Newstart allowance

- Sickness allowance

- Widow allowance

- Youth allowance

- Partner allowance

- Parenting Payment Partnered

- Bereavement allowance

- Special benefit

- Community Development Employment Project (CDEP)

- New Enterprise Incentive Scheme

- ABSTUDY

- Austudy

OR

- You can demonstrate that on 1 July of the relevant financial year you meet low income provisions in the low income earners category.

Low Income category for 2019

Single - Fortnightly Income $654.20, Annual Income $17,009.20

Single with children - Fortnightly Income $18,176.60, Annual Income $31,236.40

Partnered - Fortnightly Income $1,201.40, Annual Income $31,236.40

Your application must be submitted by the 31st October.