Support

Support Services available

Government support

Find out more about the support available on the coronavirus website.

If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of COVID, speak with your GP or get more information about help for Long COVID.

COVID Positive Pathways provides targeted support for Victorians with COVID-19 needing additional care. This includes people who are:

aged 80 years and over
living with a disability or carers of people living with a disability needing help to recover at home
of refugee or asylum seeker status
identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
living in rural isolated communities.

Food

Encompass Care VIC provides food relief. Call 0422 461 847
Whittlesea Community Connections provides food relief, financial assistance and general support and information. Call 9401 6666
Countrywide Community Mission provides food relief. Call 0411 394 494
Sikh Community Connections provides food relief for those facing extreme hardship
IndianCare provides food vouchers, limited grocery, and other essential items of support, irrespective of visa status. Call 1300 005 040
Ask Izzy for food services.

Financial assistance

The Extreme Hardship Support Program provides emergency financial assistance to people on temporary and provisional visas and undocumented migrants who are not eligible for Commonwealth Government income support. For emergency relief support visit the Australian Red Cross emergency relief support webpage
Uniting Financial Counselling call 1800 685 682
Ask Izzy for money help (money services) and everyday services
Catholic Care for vouchers. Call 8468 1305
Whittlesea Community Connections call 9401 6644
National Debt Helpline for free financial counselling
Financial and other support for COVID-19.

Financial Hardship Policy

The Financial Hardship Policy provides relief to residents and businesses in the City of Whittlesea who are unable to meet their payment obligations due to a range of individual circumstances.

Whilst Council is unable to waive rates, we are able to offer various other avenues of support for those experiencing financial hardship, including deferrals, payment plans, waivers of interest and collection costs, referral to other financial assistance programs that might be available, or referral to appropriate support services (family violence and financial hardship).

If you would like further information on eligibility please contact Council on 9217 2170 or visit our Support and emergency relief services webpage.

Download:

General

Contact the COVID hotline on 1800 675 398 or coronavirus.vic.gov.au
Find services in your local area at Ask Izzy.

Family violence support

If you are in danger Call 000

Orange Door
Safe Steps a 24 Hour Family Violence Response Centre

Call 1800 105 188

Email safesteps@safesteps.org.au

Webchat safesteps.org.au/chat

Ask Izzy for domestic & family violence help (Services)
Men's Referral Service is a free, confidential telephone helpline that offers counselling, advice and support to men who have anger, relationship, or parenting issues. The service also provides help to women (or other family members) who are experiencing violence or controlling behaviour by men. Call 1300 766 491 or visit the Men's Referral Service website.

People with a disability

Information for people with a disability can be found on the Coronavirus Victoria website and the Australian Government Department of Health website.

Further information:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Yarnin SafeNStrong Call 1800 95 95 63(24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A free and confidential phone crisis line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families who just want to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing
Dardi Munwurro Aboriginal Men's Support Line Call 1800 435 799 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A free and confidential phone support line for Aboriginal men to reach out to yarn with someone when times are tough
Additional resources:

Business & Industry support

Economic Development Team email business@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or T (03) 9217 2278 | TTY 133 677 (ask for 9217 2278)
Business and industry support from the Victorian government
Free financial counselling and Small business support. Call 1300 375 330.

LGBTIQ+ communities

International students

International student arrivals study Melbourne
International students coronavirus Victoria
Ask Izzy
Food relief for international students and temporary residents facing extreme hardship emergency food relief. Sikh Community Connections.
Whittlesea Community Connections
Supporting South Asian Students – Indian Care

Families, children and young people

Youth Services
The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) have developed a collection of trusted resources on COVID-19, including information on the physical effects on children, mental health care and advice around supporting your child cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental health resources

Department of Health Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs are available to Victorians of all ages who have any mental health or wellbeing concerns. You do not need a referral from a GP or health professional to access support.

To book a free in-person or telehealth appointment, call 1300 375 330 (9 am - 10 pm weekdays and 9 am - 5 pm weekends) or submit an enquiry online via Partners in Wellbeing.

If you need more help in your language, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter, then ask to be connected to Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs on 1300 375 330.

Other support services:

Beyond Blue Anxiety, depression and suicide prevention support. Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Lifeline crisis support and suicide prevention. Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
Kids Helpline Phone Counselling Service 1800 55 1800
Mental Health Resources Coronavirus Victoria
Headspace Plenty Valley Ph 9938 1940 or email headspaceplentyvalley@mindaustralia.org.au
Health Services Ask Izzy