Changes to Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity The Australian Government is changing the Financial Wellbeing and Capability (FWC) Activity to ensure services align with the Government’s policy priorities, are appropriately targeted to vulnerable people, and are based on a firm legislative footing. The Government has a responsibility to ensure activities undertaken by organisations funded under the FWC Activity are aligned to a head of power in the Commonwealth of Australia’s Constitution. The Department of Social Services has introduced eligibility criteria to ensure access to services are aligned to a Constitutional head of power as well as targeted to vulnerable people. These changes will take place from 1 January 2019 and will only apply to Commonwealth funded services. The eligibility criteria do not apply to other sources of funding such as state government funding. Under the redesign, the total funding amount will remain the same and FWC services will continue to focus on vulnerable people and those most at risk of financial and social exclusion and disadvantage. The FWC Activity includes the following services: Emergency Relief Food Relief Commonwealth Financial Counselling Commonwealth Financial Counselling Helpline Financial Counselling for Problem Gambling Financial Capability Financial Resilience. Eligibility From 1 January 2019, there will be eligibility criteria for clients accessing FWC services. As part of the changes, services will be required to engage with potential clients to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria. This will provide an opportunity to identify underlying issues (such as mental health issues, housing instability or addiction), undertake triage processes and facilitate referrals to other support services, where appropriate. Services will be required to confirm on an annual basis that clients have been eligible for assistance. Emergency Relief The Emergency Relief grant supports community organisations to help with immediate basic needs for individuals and families in times of crisis. This includes providing food, supermarket vouchers, petrol vouchers or assistance to pay utility bills. From 1 January 2019, Emergency Relief will be available to people who are not able to pay a bill or at imminent risk of not being able to pay a bill.
Changes to Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity The Australian Government is changing the Financial Wellbeing and Capability (FWC) Activity to ensure services align with the Government’s policy priorities, are appropriately targeted to vulnerable people, and are based on a firm legislative footing. The Government has a responsibility to ensure activities undertaken by organisations funded under the FWC Activity are aligned to a head of power in the Commonwealth of Australia’s Constitution. The Department of Social Services has introduced eligibility criteria to ensure access to services are aligned to a Constitutional head of power as well as targeted to vulnerable people. These changes will take place from 1 January 2019 and will only apply to Commonwealth funded services. The eligibility criteria do not apply to other sources of funding such as state government funding. Under the redesign, the total funding amount will remain the same and FWC services will continue to focus on vulnerable people and those most at risk of financial and social exclusion and disadvantage. The FWC Activity includes the following services: Emergency Relief Food Relief Commonwealth Financial Counselling Commonwealth Financial Counselling Helpline Financial Counselling for Problem Gambling Financial Capability Financial Resilience. Eligibility From 1 January 2019, there will be eligibility criteria for clients accessing FWC services. As part of the changes, services will be required to engage with potential clients to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria. This will provide an opportunity to identify underlying issues (such as mental health issues, housing instability or addiction), undertake triage processes and facilitate referrals to other support services, where appropriate. Services will be required to confirm on an annual basis that clients have been eligible for assistance. Emergency Relief The Emergency Relief grant supports community organisations to help with immediate basic needs for individuals and families in times of crisis. This includes providing food, supermarket vouchers, petrol vouchers or assistance to pay utility bills. From 1 January 2019, Emergency Relief will be available to people who are not able to pay a bill or at imminent risk of not being able to pay a bill.
changes_to_financial_wellbeing_and-capability_activity.docx