A free Ballarat financial counselling service is encouraging people who are worried about paying their bills or loan repayments to seek help early before reaching crisis point.
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Cafs financial counsellor and gamblers help team leader Colin Handreck said many people hit by COVID-19 were not back on track and falling through the gaps, after the majority of financial support ended in March.
He said lenders and finance companies withdrew support the same time JobSeeker was reduced and JobKeeper ended at the end of March.
Other protections like a moratorium on evictions and deferrals on bank loans also ended.
With rent arrears, eviction into homelessness becomes a big concern for many people.
- Colin Handreck, Cafs financial counsellor and gamblers help team leader
Mr Handreck said the Cafs financial counselling team was beginning to see people who had managed for 12 months with extra supports, but now did not have enough income to meet their financial obligations.
"It is people who have got contracts and they may have been given 12 months of support by their lender, then the lender says 'time is up', but they can't pay," he said.
"Some people didn't pay their rent during the moratorium period because they thought they couldn't be evicted and they are now in thousands of dollars of rent arrears. It is the same with utilities.
"With rent arrears, eviction into homelessness becomes a big concern for many people. It is a very tight rental market at present and that makes people fear for losing their accommodation.
"The message is come and give us a call to arrange an appointment. There is usually something we can do to help if you are in debt, you are being asked to pay and you can't afford to pay."
Mr Handreck said many people presenting for help were anxious and stressed and had been living with the pressure of payment arrears for a long time.
"Typically by the time they come and see us and it has re-shaped how they feel about themselves and their future," he said.
"We want to give them hope the future can be brighter because there is a way forward. We can look at options."
Mr Handreck said his team was seeing 'buy now pay later' options like Afterpay and pay on demand arrangements with people charged interest to access their pay early becoming increasing issues.
There is help available. Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or Cafs on 1800 692 237. Call 1800 858 858 for help for gambling issues.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
