GROUPS from across Bendigo have been helping community members apply for the State Government\u2019s Power Saving Bonus.<\/p>\n
The $250 one off payment was created to assist people with the cost of living, and Angelique Whitehouse coordinator of the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub said the organisation has been assisting eligible people with their online application.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can come in here, they don\u2019t need to make an appointment,\u201d she said. \u201cIt takes about 10 or 15 minutes at the most.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those eligible for the bonus include people receiving Centrelink Pensioner or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession payments, or JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy.<\/p>\n
Ms Whitehouse said applicants would need to bring proof of these payments, as well as a copy of an electricity bill and their bank details to complete the online process.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll they need to do is come in with those three documents and we\u2019ll lodge it for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The online application assistance is delivered as part of the Hub\u2019s Neighbour Assist program, which Ms Whitehouse said can also provide support for processing Centrelink claims, completing the Census or any tax queries.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Neighbour Assist program is all based on \u2018drop in when you need help\u2019,\u201d she said. \u201cWhere possible, we will try and help you there on the spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is located at 155 Crook Street, Strathdale, and is open from 9am-3pm weekdays.<\/p>\n
Like the community hub, support worker at Bendigo Family and Financial Services, Jill McPartlane said she\u2019s helped over 50 people with their online Power Saving Bonus application and that her organisation could also assist with other financial matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer support for people to apply for utility grants to help pay for their utility bills,\u201d she said. \u201cWe also have financial counsellors here which is a free service and that can help someone mitigate some debts that might be outstanding for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also are the top [provider] in the country for our no interest loan scheme which helps people apply for no interest loans for essential items that can help them with their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
BFFS can be found at 37-39 Rowan Street, Bendigo, from 9am-5pm weekdays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GROUPS from across Bendigo have been helping community members apply for the State Government\u2019s Power Saving Bonus. The $250 one off payment was created to assist people with the cost of living, and Angelique Whitehouse coordinator of the Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub said the organisation has been assisting eligible people with their online application. \u201cPeople can […]<\/p>\n