When it’s hard to make ends meet financially, free financial counselling can help Queenslanders to take back control of their financial futures.
Financial counselling is available by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007, giving access to assistance either over the phone, or face-to-face in towns across Queensland.
Connecting to help through the Hand Heart Pocket website
Hand Heart Pocket partners with UnitingCare to offer this service to all Queenslanders.
It’s easy to access, through our new simple online request for assistance, available at www.handheartpocket.org.au/hardship-assistance.
Requests are automatically forwarded to UnitingCare, who will reply within 72 hours to understand the circumstances, find a place to meet and begin to provide assistance.
Call the National Debt Helpline
To speak to someone immediately, people can call UnitingCare’s National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007, available weekdays from 9:30am-4:30pm. Mentioning Hand Heart Pocket will ensure prioritised service.
Please note that the team at UnitingCare are best placed to respond to enquiries, so people don’t need to speak to Hand Heart Pocket first to be able to access the service.
Why our partnership with UnitingCare works
HHP’s Hardship Assistance program:
– Provides free access to qualified financial counsellors, through a trusted service at UnitingCare that has the capacity to serve communities right across the state
– Provides the tools and information people need to make a holistic plan for a strong financial future, as well as access to options for reducing their debt and increasing their income.
Often financial hardship is connected with other challenges such as health, housing or employment. UnitingCare also provides access to solutions for accommodation, job readiness and relationship or social supports.
Who can access our Hardship Assistance program?
HHP’s Hardship Assistance program is available to all Queenslanders. People can engage with the service provided by UnitingCare through face-to-face, online or phone appointments.
What about Members of the Freemasons of Queensland?
The Masonic Fund of Benevolence (MFOB) was established specifically to provide assistance for financial members of the Freemasons of Queensland who are facing hardship, and their immediate families. MFOB also works with UnitingCare, providing Queensland Freemasons and their immediate families with access to financial hardship assistance.
Members and/or their families are welcome to request financial counselling with UnitingCare through our website, where they will be asked to provide their consent to HHP passing their details on to both UnitingCare and MFOB.
For more information visit: www.handheartpocket.org.au/hardship-assistance