Increased hours for more support

SERVICES Australia Agent hours at Heathcote Community House were increased last week enabling more support for residents.

Agents give Services Australia customers a place to access the internet, computers, printers and WiFi to help them complete their business.

Agents are not Services Australia staff and cannot process payments or submit claims on behalf of someone but are trained to help point people to information on Services Australia’s payments and services.

HCH executive officer Vicki Forde said the increased hours will help many people.

“This agent means that we can deliver services on behalf of Services Australia to all people who reside in and around Heathcote,” said Ms Forde.

“It means people don’t have to travel to Bendigo or Seymour.”

“More often than not we can assist people with what they need to do, and they can find great local support here in town.”

As of 1 July, the Services Australia Agent hours now total 25 hours per week.

“That means that we can help support residents – Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12pm and then 12.30pm to 3pm each day,” she said.

They can also help people set up digital services, scan, and upload documents, and confirm identity documents if they’re claiming a payment.

“As a Services Australia Agent we can help with access to Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support,” Ms Forde said.

“We can also help people to register and link My Aged Care services when needed.

“We can offer support to arrange an assessment or ask a question over the phone.

“HCH has a self-service terminal, printer/scanner and phone service available and can help customers to use them if needed.

Some of the supports HCH can offer include registering and accessing digital services, linking services, Medicare, Centrelink, ATO, and My Aged Care to myGov, and confirming identity documents.

People can also get help with general questions about payments and services, scan, and copy, print and upload documents.

“Because we are a community house, we can provide other helpful supports that complement these Services Australia services,” said Ms Forde.

“These include setting up and accessing emails accounts and assistance to obtain proof of identification documents like birth certificates.

“In times of disaster we can help with access to relief payments when available.

“On a daily basis we support many people with access to many online services, concessions and referrals to people and services that can truly make a difference in their lives.

“We feel truly blessed to help support people locally through our Services Australia Agent and other complementary services.”

For further information on the services provided at Agents and Access Points visit servicesaustralia.gov.au.