Life doesn't always go as planned. You are not alone, we are here to help.
We know that life can take unexpected turns and unplanned events can happen. At People's Choice, we offer tailored support services and information to help you through life's challenges.
If you or someone you love is going through a difficult situation or need some assistance, we are here to help.
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Identifying and supporting life's challenges
Financial difficulty & hardship
If you're experiencing financial difficulty, duress or struggling to meet your financial obligations, start here to learn more about assistance and options available to you.Losing a loved one
Losing someone that is close to you can be an emotional and difficult time. Should you lose a loved one, or be in the process of executing a deceased estate, you can learn more on how to approach this here.Financial & Elder Abuse
Financial abuse can affect anyone, so it’s important to recognise the signs and learn how to protect yourself and others, including elders in your life.Appointing a representative for financial decisions
If you are having difficulty in making financial decisions or managing your banking, there are formal arrangements available to you. Find out how you can appoint someone to act on your behalf to assist you in your financial decision making.Problem Gambling
If you are worried about you or someone you know gambling or dealing with an addiction, there are a number of resources available to assist.
Support available
Gambling Help Online provides a free 24/7 chat, email and phone counselling and support service if gambling is affecting you or someone you are about.
Betstop- The National Self-Exclusion Register is a safe and free Australian Government initiative that allows gamblers to block themselves from all licensed Australia online and phone gambling providers. Members can select an exclusion time from a minimum of 3 months or up to a lifetime.
Find more resources on our dedicated External financial support services page.
Family & Domestic Violence
Family and domestic violence can happen to anyone. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, learn more about the support services available.
If you are in immediate danger due to a domestic or family violence threat, call 000 immediately.
Support available
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.
Good Shephard is a non-for-profit, specifically supporting women, girls, and families, with financial services, family violence services and counselling.
The Zahra Foundation is working towards an Australia where every woman is economically empowered and safe. Providing helpful resources on financial abuse and financial empowerment.
Find more resources on our dedicated External financial support services page.
Disaster Relief Support
Contact us now for assistance
If you've been impacted by a natural disaster, such as bushfire or flood, please reach out to us as soon as possible. Our contact centre team is available 24/7 by calling 13 11 82 and will work quickly to assess your situation and advise how we can help.
If you’re unable to make your next mortgage, personal loan or credit card repayment due to bushfire or flood impacts, contact our Credit Management Department on (08) 8124 2146.
For all other Member Relief Package enquiries please call 13 11 82.
Our Member Relief Package includes:
- - Hardship provisions to help impacted members through their situation
- - Waiving fees associated with restructuring of loans needed because of flood or bushfire impacts
- - Waiving or refunding fees incurred because flood or bushfire impacts have made it impossible for members to comply with requirements of their accounts, for example missed payments
- - Early redemption on Term Deposit accounts for members impacted by flood or bushfires, without fees or penalties
Above all, safety is the number one priority. If you live in an impacted area we encourage you to monitor the situation through the media and emergency service websites.
Financial difficulty FAQs
What happens when I contact People’s Choice about experiencing financial difficulty?
The staff at People’s Choice treat each case with respect, empathy, and equality. To help us work out how we may be able to help you, our staff may ask you about your income, expenses, assets, and supporting documents to support your application.What hardship assistance is available?
Some of the types of Financial Difficulty Assistance from People’s Choice may include deferred payment or reduced payment arrangements on your loan. Depending on your circumstances additional options may also be availableWill a hardship arrangement affect my credit report?
If we’ve agreed to a hardship arrangement with you, this will be noted in your credit report for the duration of the arrangement and will remain on your credit report for 12 months from the end of the hardship agreement.
Being in a financial hardship arrangement won’t impact your credit score. However, repayment history information can be included in the calculation of your credit score, so if you’re under a temporary financial hardship arrangement and you miss a payment under the arrangement, your credit score might be impacted. You can read more here.What happens if I don't qualify for financial hardship?
We will provide you with a reason in writing as to why you did not meet our hardship criteria. You may wish to seek hardship advice from a financial professional or external support service.What happens if my circumstances haven’t changed at the end of the hardship period?
If your hardship period is ending soon and you feel that your situation hasn’t changed, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can re-assess your case.I'm after some information on managing payments to my People's Choice loan or credit card. Who do I call?
You can call People's Choice on 13 11 82. For more information, visit the Customer-Owned Banking Association website (www.customerownedbanking.asn.au) or you can call The National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 from anywhere in Australia to talk to a free and independent financial counsellor.What options are available to me if I can't pay my People's Choice loan or credit card?
A range of solutions are available to members who might be going through financial hardship. We can tailor a plan depending on individual circumstances, and advise you of organisations who may be able to help.
External support services
- If you are concerned about scams or fraud, or are worried about yourself or someone you know falling victim to scams or fraud, you can learn more here about how to identify, stop and report activities.
Financial wellbeing
Whether it's setting a budget, creating a savings plan, managing debts or making long-term goals, we’re here to help you take care of your financial wellbeing.
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