The partnership between FCVic and Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV), the Integrated Services Project (ISP), aims to improve client outcomes through financial counsellors and social security lawyers working together more effectively.
Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) Conference October 2024
From 10–11 October 2024, SSRV community lawyers Karen Trentini and Eloise Cox attended the FCVic Conference held in Albert Park. We welcomed the opportunity to meet and engage with the financial counselling sector in person and to strengthen the connection and partnership between FCVic and SSRV.
Our experience tells us that working with Victorian financial counsellors improves the quality of our legal service and enhances clients’ short- and long-term outcomes by providing a holistic, wraparound service. During the conference, we enjoyed speaking with many other attendees, including financial counsellors, financial capability workers, social and health workers, educators, advocates, and other lawyers. Many rich and interesting conversations took place beneath the sparkling chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom of the Pullman Albert Park as we discussed common issues and concerns.
The theme of “Fearless and Forthright” highlighted the approach conference participants bring to their client-centred work. This commitment to being “fearless and forthright” was evident in the many sessions and breakout rooms we were fortunate to attend. We were inspired by speakers Shazia Syed and Manasi Wagh from Women’s Health in the North, as well as Deb Shroot from FCA and Amy Ferguson from Uniting, who offered their insight and wisdom on the topics of Financial Capability and Neurodivergence.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stall to speak with us, pick up some service postcards, eat some lollies, and provide us with valuable feedback on our online Debt Helpline self-help tool! Each person who submitted feedback forms during the Conference went into the draw for a chance to win one of two $50.00 EFTPOS cards. Congratulations to the winners!
We look forward to working closely with our financial counselling colleagues in the future through our Worker Helpline and exploring further opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
Social Security Debt Help
Earlier this year, SSRV celebrated the launch of our new website, Social Security Debt Help. Social Security Debt Help aims to help people understand Centrelink overpayments, the options they have to address a debt, and where and how they can get further help.
We took the opportunity presented by the FCVic Conference to ask financial counsellors on the ground what they thought of the tool and for suggestions on how it could be improved. Thank you to the financial counsellors who visited our stall and gave us invaluable feedback on the website.
We know anecdotally that many workers refer clients to Social Security Debt Help to assist their clients in understanding why Centrelink has raised a debt against them and the options available for self-advocacy to have the debt waived or “written off.”
We were particularly thrilled to hear of a worker who, after referring their client to Social Security Debt Help, saw the client successfully self-advocate to have a debt of more than $10,000 completely waived. This is an incredible outcome!
If you use Social Security Debt Help in the future, we would love to hear your feedback. You can leave us feedback by visiting the “Leave Feedback” page.
Upcoming Training Offered by SSRV
Social Security Rights Victoria is offering the following online professional development sessions aimed at workers who support individuals with social security issues:
Wednesday 20 November 2024 | Compensation & Income Protection |
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The sessions will draw on SSRV’s expertise and experience and include case studies to clarify these areas of social security law. To be notified when registrations open, subscribe to the SSRV newsletter by clicking the subscribe button on the bottom of the front page of our website: www.ssrv.org.au
Keep in touch
We are active on the FCVic ‘Government Services Network’, where financial counsellors, community advocates, and social security lawyers meet to discuss policy concerns, trends in casework, and challenges/successful outcomes. You can join through the FCVic membership portal or by emailing [email protected].
SSRV produces a regular newsletter. If you aren’t already receiving it, you can subscribe using the link at the bottom of our website. We regularly post news and other updates. You can also follow us on Facebook.
Website: https://www.ssrv.org.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSRVlaw
Email: [email protected]
General Enquiries: 03 9481 0299
Worker Help Line: 03 9481 0655