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 10 month financial education and matched savings program that assists families to gain financial skills, establish a savings goal and develop long term saving habits. As an incentive, participants can receive up to $500.00 in matched savings which can be used for education costs.

Participants may be eligible if they:

- Are 18 years or over

- Have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself

- Have a regular income from paid employment (you or your partner)

- Have a current Health Care or Pension Card

- Are in receipt of an eligible Centrelink payment

The Smith Family manages the program in South Australia with Saver Plus workers in the following areas: Adelaide's North and North East (including Tea Tree Gully, Campbelltown District, Gawler, Adelaide Hills and Barossa), Port Adelaide, Enfield, Charles Sturt, Salisbury, Playford and South Adelaide. Over 32,000 people have previously participated in the program throughout Australia.

To seek further information or apply contact 1300 610 355 or visit the website

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.

Is a free service and provides access to specialist legal advice, financial counselling and legal representation in areas of credit, banking and finance.

Appointments can be made by calling (08) 8342 1800

The Consumer Credit Law Centre is a service of Uniting Communities and is located in Uniting Communities offices in Adelaide, Smithfield and Christies Beach (Open Monday – Friday, 9am- 5pm)

Speckle is an Australian small lender created by Good Shephard Microfinance and National Australia Bank (NAB) to assist everyday Australians obtain small loans for life's everyday expenses (without the hidden costs).Speckle offers small loans from $200 to $2000 with repayment options ranging from 3 months to 1 year. The repayment options are flexible so you can pay early and as often as you like with no extra fees.

Am I eligible? As a minimum you:

- Must be an Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident residing in Australia

- Must be at least 18 years of age

- Must earn a minimum gross income of $30,000 annually (not inclusive of Centerlink payments)

- Should not receive more than 50% of your total income from Centerlink

- Must have an Australian mobile number and valid email address

For further information call 13 43 23 or visit the website

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 to speak to a Financial Counsellor to review your options. Financial Counsellors are free, independent and confidential.

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.