Support

Find out more about the supports available on the coronavirus website.

• Call Encompass Care Vic on 0422 461 847 for food relief
• Call Whittlesea Community Connections on 9401 6666 for food relief, financial assistance and general support and information
• Hope Centre – Provides Fruit, vegetables, milk & bread - 0423 165 320
• Countrywide Community Commission - Food hampers - 0411 394 494
• Thomastown Neighbourhood House – Food Pantry https://www.tnh.org.au/
• Sikh Community Connections is providing FREE WHATSAPP Text Only 0476 850 607. More information visit: org.au/emergency-food-relief
• IndianCare - Provides food vouchers, limited grocery, and other essential items of support, irrespective of visa status - 1300 005 040 - https://indiancare.org.au

For more details, including the operating hours of the above, view the Emergency Relief Calendar. Please note, hours may vary during lockdowns.

• The Extreme Hardship Support Program (EHSP) provides emergency financial assistance to people on temporary and provisional visas and undocumented migrants who are not eligible for Commonwealth Government income support. Emergency relief support – Victoria | Australian Red Cross
• Uniting Financial Counselling call 1800 685 682 to make an appointment or for more information.
• Catholic Care - Vouchers - 8468 1305
• Contact Whittlesea Community Connections on 9401 6644 on Monday to Friday from 9am until 1pm for assistance
• National Debt Helpline - free financial counselling
• Financial and other support for COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria

For more details, including operating hours of the above, view the Emergency Relief Calendar. Please note, hours may vary during lockdowns.

The Financial Hardship Policy provides relief to residents and businesses in the City of Whittlesea who are unable to meet their payment obligations due to a range of individual circumstances.

Whilst Council is unable to waive rates, we are able to offer various other avenues of support for those experiencing financial hardship, including deferrals, payment plans, waivers of interest and collection costs, referral to other financial assistance programs that might be available, or referral to appropriate support services (family violence and financial hardship).

If you would like further information on eligibility please contact Council on 9217 2170 or visit our Support and emergency relief services webpage.

Download:

• Financial hardship policy (PDF - 204KB)
• Financial hardship policy - Accessible (DOCX - 68KB)

• Contact the COVID hotline on 1800 COVID or coronavirus.vic.gov.au
  
  

Even in lockdown restrictions, you are allowed to leave your home if you or your children are at risk of harm from family violence. If you are in danger call 000.

• Orange Door – https://orangedoor.vic.gov.au/
• Safe Steps 24/7 on 1800 105 188. Email safesteps@safesteps.org.au or webchat at safesteps.org.au/chat.
• Family violence crisis response and support during coronavirus | Coronavirus Victoria
• Men's Referral Service is a free, confidential telephone helpline that offers counselling, advice and support to men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues. The service also provides help to women (or other family members) who are experiencing violence or controlling behaviour by men. Call 1300 766 491 or visit the Men's Referral Service website.

• https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus
• COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout with Auslan interpretation - https://www.health.gov.au/resources/videos/covid-19-vaccination-priority-rollout-animation-auslan
• People with disability | Coronavirus Victoria
• You may be eligible for an at-home testing service. Call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 and select option 4 and then option 5 to find out if you are eligible for this Call-to-test service.
• Aspen Medical in Thomastown offers vaccination for people living with a disability in supported accommodation. Find out more.

COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities | Coronavirus Victoria

• Yarnin SafeNStrong - Call 1800 95 95 63(24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A free and confidential phone crisis line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families who just want to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing.
  www.vahs.org.au
• Dardi Munwurro Aboriginal Men's Support Line - Call 1800 435 799 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A free and confidential phone support line for Aboriginal men to reach out to yarn with someone when times are tough.
  www.dardimunwurro.com.au
• Additional resources:
• https://bubupwilam.org.au/
• https://connectinghome.org.au/

• Economic Development Team - business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or T (03) 9217 2278 | TTY 133 677 (ask for 9217 2278)
• Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Business and industry - coronavirus (COVID-19) (dhhs.vic.gov.au)
• Free financial counselling for business Call 1300 375 330 or visit https://www.partnersinwellbeing.org.au/small-business-support

• Trans and gender diverse health Trans and gender diverse health - Your Community Health
• LGBTIQ+ communities | Coronavirus Victoria

• Council run Youth Services - https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/community-support/young-people/youth-services/
• Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Families, children and young people - coronavirus (COVID-19) (dhhs.vic.gov.au)
• The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) have developed a collection of trusted resources on COVID-19, including information on the physical effects on children, mental health care and advice around supporting your child cope through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Beyond Blue - Anxiety, depression and suicide prevention support - Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline -Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 1800 55 1800
• Mental health resources - coronavirus (COVID-19) | Coronavirus Victoria
• Headspace Greensborough and South Morang are continuing consultations via phone and zoom. Call 9433 7200 or email headspacegreensborough@mindaustralia.org.au