Still time to apply for Cost of Living Concession
With Christmas weeks away and cost of living pressures continuing to bite, its timely to remind South Australians the State Government funds a range of services designed to help those having a hard time making ends meet.
Minister for Human Services Nat Cook says these services can help people with budget planning and debt negotiation, provide financial counselling and emergency financial assistance, offer no-interest loans and food relief, and provide a range of concessions.
The government’s Cost of Living Concession (COLC) has already been paid to more than 212,507 households for the 2023-24 financial year totalling $42.7 million – and it’s not too late to apply. People can receive one-off payments of up to $243.90 in support and applications for this financial year can be submitted up until December 31.
Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook, said “There’s no doubt 2023 has been tough on many South Australians with the cost of living, inflation and rising interest rates continuing to bite. Add to that, the lead up to Christmas can be an incredibly stressful time with the pressure of buying gifts and extra food, while managing family and friends’ expectations.
The services the government funds for people struggling with affordability issues are free, confidential, and respect the dignity of participants.”
In a move to help more financially insecure South Australians, the State Government launched its Financial Wellbeing and Resilience Program across all metropolitan and all regional areas in August.
The program offers services including financial counselling, debt management and renegotiation, support to access no-interest loans, and emergency financial assistance.
Service providers taking part in the Financial Well-being and Resilience Program
Lutheran Care (Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Light and Lower North),
Uniting Communities (Eastern Adelaide),
Centacare Catholic Country (Eyre and Western),
Uniting Country SA (Far North),
Junction Australia (Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island),
ac.care (Limestone Coast and Murray Mallee),
Anglicare SA (Northern Adelaide),
Uniting Communities (Southern Adelaide),
Uniting Care Wesley Bowden (Western Adelaide),
Uniting Country SA (Yorke and Mid North).
“I encourage people to reach out for support – there is help available. I truly hope this support provided by my Department and by our partners from the non-government sector might go a small way towards helping more South Australians share in the joy of the festive season this year,” Minister Cook said.
More information about the Financial Wellbeing Program is available here.
