I'm experiencing financial hardship after a disaster, what are my options? (Vic)
Last Updated 13 March 2024
Last Updated 13 March 2024
This resource is designed to support people in Victoria who have been impacted by a disaster find legal information online and connect with appropriate services. It will help you identify if you are dealing with a financial legal problem and understand how to make an application for legal help.
It provides:
People affected by natural disasters can experience both short-term and long-term financial difficulties, ranging from lost credit cards and problems accessing cash through to being unable to make loan repayments.
Your bank or credit provider must consider what’s happened to you if they have experienced a disaster. You can speak to their hardship department, or you can talk to a financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline, on 1800 007 007.
If the lender won’t help, you can talk to a free service that can help. See the section “Refer your client for free legal help” for more information.
Financial hardship is when a person is having trouble repaying a loan or debt.
You may be having trouble:
making mortgage repayments
making personal loan payments
paying rent
making credit card payments
meeting business obligations
making business loan repayments
paying utility bills
paying for temporary accommodation
Financial hardship after a disaster may be caused by:
loss of job or reduced shifts
being unable to physically access money
injury or illness
facing unexpected expenses
Financial counsellors are skilled professionals. They will listen to your problems and help you with things like:
Financial counselling is a free and confidential service.
To find a financial counsellor near your client visit Financial counselling – Moneysmart.gov.au or call the National Debt Helpline, on 1800 007 007.
Many financial issues have legal solutions.
Some of the ways legal services can help include by:
If you are facing financial hardship after a disaster, your first step should be to contact your financial service provider and explain what is happening.
Most financial service providers have dedicated financial hardship teams. When you calls their service provider, you should ask to speak with this team.
If your financial service provider will not help you, you can speak to a financial counsellor and lawyer.
For more information see Urgent help with money – Moneysmart.gov.au
For more information, read our resource: Government assistance after a disaster (Vic) – Justice Connect
Consumer Action Law Centre has designed resources to help people in Victoria understand their financial rights and take steps to sort out debt or disputes about credit, banking and insurance.
Visit their website for more information: Resources and Toolkits – Consumer Action Law Centre
Disaster Legal Help Victoria has created resources to help people in Victoria understand their financial rights and manage debt after a disaster, including:
Justice Connect has created plain language resources for people in Victoria who are struggling to pay their mortgage or who have received a bankruptcy notice, including:
Disaster Legal Help Victoria (DLHV) is a joint initiative of the Federation of Community Legal Centres, Justice Connect, the Law Institute of Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and the Victorian Bar. DLHV brings together the skills and resources of the legal profession, including government and private legal entities, to help mitigate and respond to complex and widespread legal needs that arise in disasters.
For legal information and referrals, call Disaster Legal Help Victoria on 1800 113 432 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
Visit Disaster Legal Help Victoria’s website for more information on how they can help.
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority offers dispute resolution for the financial services industry, covering consumer complaints about credit, finance and loans, insurance, banking deposits and payments, investments and financial advice, and superannuation.
Call 1800 931 678 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or visit their website: https://www.afca.org.au/.
The Consumer Action Law Centre offers legal advice and financial counselling for vulnerable people in Australia.
Call 1800 446 477 between 10am and 1pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
You can also get online legal help by using the ‘Chat with us’ button on the CALC website.
Visit their website for more information: Consumer Action Law Centre – Consumer Action Law Centre.
Mortgage Stress Victoria is an organisation that helps mortgage-holders to resolve their mortgage debt and many surrounding issues putting housing at risk. They can you if you:
Call 1800 572 292, Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 5pm, and press 1. Visit their website for more information: Mortgage Stress Victoria | West Justice
Justice Connect assists eligible individuals, small businesses, community organisations and farms and other primary producers who have been impacted by natural disasters.
You can apply online for free legal help: Apply for help – Justice Connect. This is the quickest and most efficient way to check if you’re eligible and start the process of being matched with a lawyer. Once we receive your application, a member of our team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
This resource was last updated on 13 March 2024. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. You can read our disclaimer in full here: Disclaimer and copyright for our Disaster Legal Support Resource Hub – Justice Connect.