PEOPLE have been urged to budget carefully as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support service centres prepare to close for the festive season.
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Comments from the Department of Human Services come as Bendigo agencies such as Haven; Home, Safe brace for a spike in demand for help, which is expected to continue into the first quarter of the new year.
The department advised of changes to payments and services, with all service centres and most phone lines providing Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services to be shut from December 25 – 27 and on January 1.
General manager Hank Jongen said some people might receive their payments earlier than usual.
“It’s important to remember that an early payment is not an extra payment - it’s just the normal payment paid early,” he said.
“People might need to budget carefully so this payment lasts until their next payment is due”.
Reporting dates might also be pushed forward for people whose usual date falls during the holiday period.
“Their payment will be made after they have reported,” Mr Jongen said.
Haven; Home, Safe earlier this week said Christmas could be a particularly difficult time for families already doing it tough.
Financial stress and relationship breakdown were identified as key issues for which people sought help from the agency during the holidays.
“From December into February is the busiest time at our services,” Salvation Army policy and program manager Elli McGavin said.
The expense of not only Christmas, but the start of a new school year could push already struggling families to crisis point.
Dr McGavin said single parents with children on income support were left with $14.35 a day to buy essentials after paying for housing expenses.
“I would like to see everyone try it,” she said.
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The organisation aims to serve up 100,000 meals to people in need this month, citing being able to afford to eat as the number one challenge faced by its clients.
Donations can be made via the 100thousandmeals.org.au website.
People wishing to do business with the Department of Human services during the holidays have been advised to use self-service options such as Express Plus mobile apps, phone self-service lines and online accounts through myGov.
“People will be able to check their reporting dates, update their details and report their earnings quickly and easily with these options. People can also lodge some Medicare claims,” Mr Jongen said.
He said people could learn more at humanservices.gov.au/holidays.