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UNITINGCARE Community operates a program providing counselling and advice free of charge to any Queenslanders in financial distress.
Over the past two years Queensland has seen an increase in the cost of living, job losses, and repercussions of the GFC and natural disasters.
UnitingCare Community's Financial First Aid counsellors can provide support over the phone or in face-to-face consultation.
The team helps clients make the most appropriate choices for their situation.
"UnitingCare Community's Financial First Aid delivers a high-level, reliable service to provide the community with information about rights and responsibilities in relation to credit and debt issues and makes referrals," says UnitingCare Community Financial Counselling Senior Practitioner, Suzanne Hough.
"Financial First Aid financial counsellors are seeing more people struggling to make ends meet for various reasons," adds Ms Hough.
Demand for the Financial First Aid Line service has risen by more than 30 per cent over the past two years, and is now at more than 300 calls per week.
Average call time has increased by 33 per cent in the past year, due to increasing complexity in the clients' financial and emotional state at the time of the call.
This indicates a bidirectional link between financial stress and mental and emotional wellbeing.
The financial counselling service reached over 32 000 Queenslanders last financial year through face-to-face financial counselling, Financial First Aid Line and financial literacy workshops.
That it is a holistic service is demonstrated by the more than 2900 referrals financial counsellors have made to other support services.
The increase in number of clients and referrals highlights the escalation financial hardship being experiences by Queenslanders, and the rising need for this service.
UnitingCare Community's Financial First Aid Line is available 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Call 1800 007 007 or email ffa@uccommunity.org.au.
Photo : A financial counsellor with a couple in a face-to-face counselling session. Photo courtesy of UnitingCare Community
