Centrelink Options to help you

Centrelink offers a range of government services and payments to help Australians through all stages of their lives. When people experience difficult times they often need extra assistance and special services.

We help people deal with their problems, so that they can better cope with the issues, understand their options and plan for the future. This is especially so when someone is dealing with death.

Making preparations and dealing with death When a person is seriously injured or terminally ill, they or their loved ones generally need to prepare for what is ahead. This may require them to claim compensation or invalidity payments, to investigate access to superannuation, to rationalise or change their investments, to make a will, to organise an enduring power of attorney or to plan and pay for their funeral. Few of us have a working knowledge of these things and can only deal with them by getting assistance. When faced with the death of a loved one, preparation is not always possible – for many there are no warnings and they then need to deal simultaneously with their grief and the various practical issues.

Where to start There are many government and non-government avenues through which to source information. However a good starting point is to obtain a booklet called ‘Are you needing help after someone has died?’ by contacting Centrelink on 13 23 00. This booklet is a guide to the options and payments from Centrelink available to support you. It includes some practical information as well as basic details on payments, services and opportunities; how to claim payments and use Centrelink’s services; your rights and obligations; and how to find out more.

Where can I go to get information? Centrelink’s Financial Information Service (FIS) is an educative and expert information service available to everyone in the community. FIS assists people to make informed decisions about investment and financial issues for their current and future financial needs. FIS is independent, free and confidential and provides service by phone, appointment and through seminars. FIS officers provide information to assist people to maintain and improve their standard of living by: providing them with expert financial information, increasing their confidence to deal with financial issues, assisting them to understand their own financial affairs and the options available to them, alerting them to the levels of risk associated with different financial products, introducing them to the roles of the different experts in the financial industry and other associated industries, and assisting them to be discerning when choosing experts and expert information. Call 13 23 00 to talk to a FIS Officer or 13 63 57 to see what seminars are being held near you.

Who else can I talk to? Sometimes problems can seem impossible to solve. If you are going through a difficult time, it can help to talk to someone. Centrelink has Social Workers that can help with counselling and support, advice about payments and services, referrals to other support services, options for the future including employment, training or volunteer work. The social work service is free. Phone Centrelink on 13 10 21 and ask to speak to or make an appointment with a Social Worker.