Emergency Relief
Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centres respond quickly to local needs, providing trusted support as cost of living pressures increase demand for emergency relief across WA. Emergency relief includes food, toiletries, clothing, blankets, and vouchers, each with specific health and safety considerations.
Alongside emergency relief, Centres offer wrap around services such as financial counselling, wellbeing programs, family and employment support, and social connection - all in one safe, familiar place.
About 54% of our member Centres provide emergency relief, supporting metro, regional, and remote communities (from the 2024 Member Survey).
In need of assistance? Contact these services:
Financial Counselling
- National Debt Helpline: Offers free, independent and confidential financial information and support provided by financial counsellors. They can also help find other support services in your community.
- Rural Financial Counselling Service WA: For farmers, foresters, professional fishers or small business operators supporting these industries.
Other Finance Supports
Emergency and Food Relief
- WAConnect: WAConnect is a free online directory that helps people in Western Australia find local community and emergency relief services, including food, accommodation, financial assistance, health, and wellbeing support. It allows users to search in real time by service type and location, providing contact details, opening hours, and directions to make accessing help easier. The platform is managed by WACOSS and is designed for both people seeking assistance and community service providers.
- Emergency Relief and Food Access Service: Provides support in identifying and applying for emergency relief.
Centres providing Emergency Relief