If you’re HIV positive and experiencing financial difficulties, we encourage you to see our Financial Counsellor. It’s a free and completely confidential service that provides information, support and advocacy.
Regardless of whether your financial problems are fairly straightforward (unpaid bills, rent arrears, bank and credit card debts or general money worries) or more complex (debt negotiation and management, bankruptcy, superannuation, taxation, State Debt Recovery), we can help you to sort them out.
Our financial counsellor will show you how to manage your money more effectively by working out a personal budget and identifying areas where you can reduce expenses. Improving your financial management and cash flow will, in turn, allow you to develop an increased sense of independence, control and self esteem.
Our financial counsellor can also assist with:
• advocating on your behalf;
• scheduling payments;
• negotiating with creditors on your behalf;
• preparing the relevant documentation to deal with authorities;
• providing information about your eligibility for government benefits;
• explaining the debt recovery process and consumer and credit laws;
• explaining your rights and responsibilities as a consumer.
When you make your initial appointment with our Financial Counsellor, you need to bring:
• proof of your income, either a current Centrelink income statement or a current payslip if you are employed;
• documentation about your current debts such as bills, credit card statements, tax assessments and rent receipts.
For more information about our Financial Counselling service, please contact Craig Doyle on (02) 9283 8666 or email craig.doyle@bgf.org.au.