In financial hardship
We’re here to help if you need it, whether or not you receive income support from us.
If you’re struggling to support yourself or your family, please contact us. We can often help in some way. We may be able to give you assistance, advice, or refer you to another agency.
Help if you’re in a financial crisis
There are a number of payments or advances that may help you get through a financial crisis. Even if you aren't able to get any of the assistance mentioned below, we may be able to help in other ways so please contact us.
Special Needs Grant
A grant to help you, in certain circumstances, pay for something when you have no other way of paying for it.
Advance Payment of Benefit
If you have an immediate need for something essential, you may be able to get an advance payment of your benefit.
Recoverable Assistance
A payment for something you need urgently when you have no other way of paying for it.
Temporary Additional Support
A payment if you can't meet your essential living costs from what you earn or from other sources.
Need help with extra costs?
A guide to allowances and extra payments for people on a benefit.
Websites that may help
Rates rebates
A subsidy to help low-income homeowners with the cost of their rates.
Help with your budget
Budgeting gives you control of your money – and your life. It lets you see how much money you have, what you spend it on and how you can make your money go further. By budgeting, you can:
- pay off your debts faster
- keep up with your bills
- save for the things you want
- pay for those extra unplanned expenses
- buy little luxuries every now and then.
Managing your money
A brochure on budgeting and the types of help you may be able to get. It includes a budget worksheet to get you started.
The Great Little Cookbook (PDF 1.06MB)
Hints and recipes for healthy eating on a tight budget.
Budget websites that may help
Budgeting (Sorted)
Create your own budget with the help of their Budget and Cashflow calculators.
Need Budget Advice? (Family Budgeting Services)
Budget tips and tools. Get free and confidential budget advice from a trained advisor. This site includes:
- budgeting tools and worksheets
- the top ten budgeting myths
- BUDGETLINE - their free phone service.
Help if you’ve lost your job
Whatever your circumstances, if you'd like help finding a job, contact us. We'll try and match you to suitable full-time or part-time jobs. We may be able to help you increase your job options through training or other ways.
While you're looking for work we may be able to help you with living, housing and childcare costs.
If you’ve recently been made redundant, you may be able to get help through the ReStart package. You may also get this help if you're self employed and can get the Unemployment Benefit
Help looking for work
We can help you find a job and support you while you look for work. We may be able to help you develop your skills through training and other options.
ReStart
A package of assistance to help if you’ve been made redundant that offers:
- payments in place of in-work tax credits
- extra help with accommodation costs
- help finding a job that’s right for you
Tips to help you find a job
Some tips to help you with your job search.
Unemployment Benefit
Assistance while you look for work or train for work.
Unemployment Benefit - Student Hardship (StudyLink)
Assistance during study breaks while you look for work.
Websites that may help
Career Services
Providing independent career information, advice and guidance. There are pages on redundancy and tips for job hunting in tight economic times.
Help if your relationship has broken down
We'll support you while you can't work and help you look towards independence in the future. When you're able to work, we can help you find full-time or part-time work that's right for your situation.
We may be able to help you with living, housing, and childcare costs.
If you're on a benefit you need to tell us about any change in your relationship as this may affect your benefit.
Help looking for work
We can help you find a job and support you while you look for work. We may be able to help you develop your skills through training and other options.
Supporting children and families
We can support you while you're looking after children. You may be able to get help with living expenses, health, housing or childcare.
Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) - Sole Parent
Assistance if you're a sole parent with one or more dependent children.
Family Violence Intervention Programme
Learn more about the Family Violence Intervention Programme and some of your options if you're experiencing, using or witnessing family violence.
Help if someone close to you has died
Please visit our:
Bereavement page
We may be able to help you with some living, childcare and funeral costs.
Help if you have been affected by a natural disaster
Please visit our:
Responding to an emergency page
If you or your family have been affected by an emergency we may be able to offer assistance. You don't have to be on a benefit.
Contact us
Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.
Contact us if you:
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family
- would like more information.