Local Emergency Relief Assistance

Largely funded through the Federal Government’s Department of Social Services, emergency relief is a safety net for people experiencing financial distress or hardship and who have limited means or resources to improve their financial situation. This support includes food and food vouchers, furniture, assistance paying bills, and refer people to places they can access crisis housing.

List of emergency relief providers

It is advised to call services first to confirm opening hours and appointment requirements.

Wesley Mission

Referral via one of the Wesley Missions local partner organisations:

Pathways Community Church
Address: 284 Dunmore Street, Pendle Hill
Phone: (02) 9636 7400

Other partner organisations are listed below.

Services 

• Vouchers for food and clothing
• New essential household items (such as fridge, washing machine or bed)
• Utility Bill Assistance

St Vincent De Paul

Assistance is accessed through trained volunteer teams - one is allocated to you by calling the 1800 number. The volunteer team provides a home visit where issues can be discussed and assistance provided.

Phone:  1800 606 724
Ext 3 for Cumberland/Parramatta Area - Family Assistance Hotline
Phone: 13 18 12
Ext 4 for Help & Support - Vinnies Assist general

Services 

• Food Parcels
• Clothing
• Everyday essentials
• Assistance with bills

The Salvation Army

Referral to most local Connect centre sites is via the 1300 number. Assistance is determined and approved on the phone. Drop-in to a Connect site is possible, but assistance will still require consultation and approval on the phone with Salvation Army Head Office.

  • Phone: 1300 371 288 or 137 258

Services

  • Financial Assistance
  • Material Aids
  • Food Parcels
  • Food Vouchers
  • Emergency Catering Service After a Disaster

 

Jesuit Refugee Service

Assistance accessed through Jesuit Refugee Service’s client support centre in Parramatta. Focus on refugees and people seeking asylum.

  • Address: 10-12 Victoria Rd, Parramatta 
  • Phone: 02 9098 9336 (leave a voicemail – messages are checked regularly)

Services 

  • Financial Assistance
  • Material Aid
  • Psychosocial Care
  • Social Inclusion

 

Anglicare

Assistance accessed through Anglicare client support direct line.

Anglicare provides immediate practical assistance which include food parcels throughout Sydney and the Illawarra.

Mobile Community Pantries and Community Pantries in some Anglicare Op Shops also provide assistance with low-cost food.

Phone: (02) 8624 8600

Services

  • Food parcels
  • Fresh Food (Hampers - Fruit and Vegetables)
  • Financial Assistance Includes:
    • No-Interest Loans Scheme (NILS)
    • Utility Bill Assistance
    • Rental Arrears Assistance
    • Bond Assistance
    • Medical Assistance

Christian Community Aid

Christian Community Aid provide a range of free or low-cost services such as emergency food parcels and financial counselling for struggling low-income earners.

Call to make an appointment

Services

  • EAPA Vouchers 
  • Food Parcels 

Parramatta Mission

Parramatta Mission provides food and support services to assist the most vulnerable people in our community. This includes meals and emergency food assistance as well as onsite access to services to assist those who may be homeless, at risk of homelessness or facing crisis.

Meals and Outreach Service – Meals Plus

Contact the Mission office during business hours and ask to speak with a Case Manager.

  • Phone: 02 9891 2277
  • Address: 119 Macquarie Street, Parramatta

Services

  • Emergency Food Assistance,
  • Laundry and Shower Facilities,
  • Financial Counselling,
  • Legal Advice by Visiting Solicitors,
  • Housing Advocacy,
  • Centrelink Outreach Service and
  • Referral to Accommodation Services

Cumberland Multicultural Community Services

CMCS provides Emergency relief to assist people to improve their financial capacity and resilience and help them deal with immediate financial difficulties in a way that maintains the dignity of the person and encourage self – reliance.

CMCS also provides support with EAPA (Energy Accounts Payment Assistance) for electricity and gas bills, as well as support with PAS (Payment Assistance Scheme) for Sydney Water bills (eligibility for EAPA & PAS applies)

Call to make an appointment.

Phone: 02 9637 7600
Address: Granville TAFE, Block C - 136 William Street, Granville

Services

• EAPA (Energy Accounts Payment Assistance) for electricity and gas bills
• PAS (Payment Assistance Scheme) for Sydney Water bills

There are eligibility for criteria EAPA & PAS

Turbans 4 Australia

Turbans 4 Australia provides food and other immediate assistance.

Contact details:

Phone: 0432 017 000
Email: turbans4australia@gmail.com

Services 

  • Food Hampers
  • Fresh Food

 

Hindu Council of Australia

Provides hampers with food staples for individuals and families in crises, as well as basic health, accommodation and employment support services.

Requests for support should be registered online.

Phone: 1300 849 278

Services 

  • $50/$100

 

Karabi Community and Development services

Karabi Community and Development services provides free and low-cost food parcels for low-income earners.

Contact to register for the services:

Phone: 02 9631 6575

Email: admin@karabi.org.au

Services 

  • Weekly Wednesday Food Hampers

Hope Connect

Hope Connect provide food vouchers, food parcels and energy bill assistance to clients in need.

To be eligible individuals must be the residents of Telopea, Dundas, Ermington, Rydalmere Oatlands and only specific streets for North Parramatta and Carlingford.

Phone:  (02) 9638 7955

Services 

  • Material Aids
  • Food Parcels
  • Food Vouchers

 

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