Have you unexpectedly hit some financial difficulties paying your bills and meeting your expenses? Perhaps you have become unemployed? Or experienced sickness or for another reason hit hard times?
You might be in financial hardship and you could be eligible for assistance, from your bank.
Australians are able to claim financial hardship assistance from their bank or other lender/card issuer if they hit hard times.
There are eligibility requirements and you need to be able to show that you can't pay your current debts while meeting your living expenses.
Financial Hardship Assistance - what is it?
Sometimes it's not enough to reduce your outgoings or increase your income and you might need to approach your lender for help.
Banks and other lenders have a hardship scheme and will be able to offer you help and advice so that you get your finances back on track. It's always difficult to ask for debt help, but you'll probably find that your lender is understanding.
You might be eligible for a repayment holiday, especially if you can demonstrate how it will help you to get back on your feet. If your financial constraints are due to a short-lived issue, such as an injury or a new baby, then many lenders will be happy to approve a break.
You can lodge a complaint with the financial ombudsman if your bank or lender does not assist you in dealing with financial hardship.
Big bank financial hardship helplines and contact information, links and contact information
Commonwealth Bank's financial difficulty assistance can be applied for through Netbank, email or via phone.
Commonwealth Bank Financial Difficulty helpline is 133 095.
Commonwealth Bank Financial Difficulty contact page.
Commonwealth Bank loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
Westpac's financial hardship assistance can be applied for online at the Westpac website or via phone.
Westpac Financial Hardship helpline is 1800 067 497.
Westpac Financial Hardship contact page.
Westpac Bank loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
National Australia Bank's financial hardship assistance can be applied for online at the NAB website or via phone.
NAB Financial Hardship helpline is 1800 701 599.
NAB Financial Hardship contact page.
NAB loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
ANZ Bank's financial hardship assistance can be applied for online at the ANZ website or via phone.
ANZ Bank Financial Hardship helpline is 1800 149 549.
ANZ Bank Financial Hardship contact page.
ANZ loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
Other bank financial hardship assistance contact information
Macquarie Bank has financial hardship specialists to assist you if you get in to trouble.
Macquarie Bank Financial Hardship helpline for home loans is 1300 363 330.
Macquarie Bank Financial Hardship helpline for credit cards is 1800 674 922.
Macquarie Bank Financial Hardship contact page.
Macquarie Bank loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
ING DIRECT has a financial hardship helpline and an online claim form.
ING 's Financial Hardship helpline is 1300 349 166.
ING Bank Financial Hardship contact page.
ING loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
Bendigo Bank has a financial hardship helpline and an online email form for claiming financial hardship assistance.
Bendigo Bank's Financial Hardship helpline is 1300 652 146.
Bendigo Bank Financial Hardship contact page.
Bendigo Bank loan, card and account interest rate and fees information at InfoChoice.
There's the National Debt Help Hotline on 1800007007, for example, or The Department of Human Services' crisis and special help team, as well as Lifeline on 131114 for emotional support.
Home Loans: The comparison rates are based on a loan amount of $150,000 and a term of 25 years.
WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Comparison rates are not calculated for revolving credit products.
The products compared in this article are chosen from a range of offers available to us and are not representative of all the products available in the market and influenced by a range of factors including interest rates, product costs and commercial and sponsorship arrangements
InfoChoice compares financial products from 145 banks, credit unions and other financial institutions in Australia. InfoChoice does not compare every product in the market. Some institutions may have a commercial partnership with InfoChoice. Rates are provided by partners and taken from financial institutions websites. We believe all information to be accurate on the date published. InfoChoice strives to update and keep information as accurate as possible.
The information contained on this web site is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. Do not interpret the listing order as an endorsement or recommendation from us. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. If you or someone you know is in financial stress, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
