Practical Assistance

The Practical Assistance Program is available to help individuals and families when they are experiencing a crisis and this is causing financial hardship or disadvantage. This is available to people on low incomes living in Manningham.

• Financial Assistance is available in the form of vouchers and non-perishable food items to individuals and families.

• Material Aid is available in the form of second-hand clothes, household items and furniture.

• Telstra Vouchers are available to make a contribution towards outstanding landline Telstra accounts.

• Advocacy and Referral Service are seen as legitimate forms of assisting clients who for whatever reasons are unable to speak up for themselves or to negotiate with other service providers and utilities. It may mean that the worker does the first action for example calling the utility provider, and then discusses with the client how they can to do that themselves in the future etc. It is understood that it may take several goes at advocacy or role modelling of this same behaviour before the client is in a position to do the same on their own behalf. Some clients may need such advocacy and role modelling to continue for some time.