Needed more than ever, the Bring Your Bills day will be back in Pakenham next week, ready to help locals with cost-of-living relief.
As bills have become even more of a pain for families over the last few years, on Tuesday 1 July at the Pakenham Hall, experts will gather to provide their free consultation to help relieve the financial pressure.
Organised by South East Community Links, Bring Your Bills Days are free one-stop community events held across the local area to help people tackle financial stress by bringing agencies and businesses together in one place.
Formed to meet the growing community needs under the rising cost of living, the day provides household bill providers, financial counsellors, legal services, housing advocates, and government services, all in a welcoming local setting.
Free and confidential consultation are available, with multilingual interpreters to cater to 11 languages including Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto, Persian/Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Burmese, Dinka, Tamil, and Sinhala.
Head of Housing & Financial Wellbeing at South East Community Links, Rachna Bowman said the days provide direct support and advice for local families.
“This program brings all the right services together in one place. It means people can sort out a utility bill, get legal advice, and speak with a financial counsellor in a single visit,” she said.
“We have helped resolve more than $2 million in debt and linked hundreds of people with grants and concessions they didn’t know they were eligible for.
“Many of the people who come to Bring Your Bills have never asked for help before. These events give them a safe, welcoming environment to take that first step.
“Cost-of-living pressures are hitting families hard, especially in places like Pakenham. Bring Your Bills gives people the confidence, knowledge and support to take control of their situation and feel less alone.”
Started in 2023, the days have supported over 2,000 people and assisted in the access of 564 concessions and grants.
The day can help in a variety of ways, including the waiving of fees and charges, with payment plans, debt reductions, and referrals to hardship programs that make repayments more manageable.
Hardship with household bills makes up over half of the issues presented on the days, while a third relates to housing stress.
If you have not sought advice before, Bring Your Bills is the perfect day to do so.
Over 70 per cent of previous attendees have never accessed community services before.
After attending, 95 per cent of participants reported feeling more confident to ask for support in the future.
The day will run from 10.30am to 3pm on Tuesday 1 July at the Pakenham Hall on the corner of John and Henry Street, Pakenham.
No money is directly provided to bills on the day. For more information: secl.org.au/money/bring-your-bills
