Financially disadvantaged
A person is defined as financially disadvantaged if they are in financial difficulty and:
- they have no income
- their main source of income is a Centrelink benefit or
- their income is insufficient to sustain their personal financial commitments and they have defaulted on payment of their debts, or are at risk of defaulting.
A person experiencing financial disadvantage is eligible for information and referral and sessional casework services. For more information, view our Client services - Financial Counselling Program page.
Financially disadvantaged and vulnerable
A person is financially disadvantaged and vulnerable if, in addition to experiencing financial disadvantage, their capacity to assist themselves is limited. Examples include:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Family violence
- Homelessness
- Intellectual or physical disability
- Lack of formal education (including illiteracy)
- Life event (includes accident, illness, divorce, unemployment, death of a close family member)
- Limited English proficiency
- Mental health issues
- Substance abuse.
A person experiencing financial disadvantage and vulnerability is eligible for information and referral , sessional and extended casework services. For more information, view our Client services - Financial Counselling Program page.