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Get Involved

Support when you need it most.

Caring For Carers
Emergency Relief Program

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About the Emergency Relief Program [Funding Allocation Exhausted]

The Caring for Carers Financial Hardship and Support Program is one of Rural Lifestyle Options Australia’s ongoing Unfunded Projects which has been developed to support carers who require financial assistance to meet their immediate essential needs.

 

Please note: As at May 2023, our Funding Allocation has been exhausted for this program until further notice. 

 

​Funding is distributed through an application process with the view to support carers who require immediate support with essential needs such as: 

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  • ​Buying food

  • Paying for fuel

  • Paying school fees or even payment towards school uniforms

  • Clothing

  • Medical supplies

  • Assistance with paying bills i.e. electricity, rent, car registration etc

  • A short break or weekend away

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​Please note:

 

To be eligible to be considered for this Emergency Relief grant, carers must be residing within the same household as the loved one they are providing unpaid support to. The role of a carer is defined in the section below.

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Assistance is not income or asset tested. There is a limit of up to $500 per application and only 1 application can be supported in a 12-month period. Please note that cash will not be directly exchanged.

 

This program is for payment of a bill in arrears or to make a payment in advance on behalf of a Carer. Unpaid Carers who wish to apply for this Emergency Relief grant must reside within a Local Government Area that Rural Lifestyle Options Australia currently provides services in.

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For more information on where these locations are, please visit the Contact Us page of the website, www.rloa.org.au/contactus 

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Given this is a Unfunded Program, applications will be limited to availability of funds at the time of receiving the application.  

What is the role of a Carer?

Carers Australia define Carers as "people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.


Carers are an integral part of Australia’s health system and are the foundation of our aged, disability, palliative and community care systems. Caring may include help and support with any of the daily activities of living of the person being cared for. It may include physical and personal care such as dressing, lifting, showering, toileting, feeding or providing transport.


Commonly, carers are responsible for the management of medications, and also provide emotional and social support. Caring may also involve help with organising and attending appointments, banking and dealing with emergencies."

Why is Rural Lifestyle Options Australia getting involved?

For almost 30 years, Rural Lifestyle Options Australia has been dedicated to addressing unmet need across rural and regional communities. Whilst our organisation was founded in providing high quality disability support, today we have grown to supporting people experiencing a range of community hardships, re-enforced by our vision of ‘Changing lives, stronger communities’.

 

Throughout this time, we have always supported our volunteer carers where possible. As an organisation we recognise that there are currently over 2.7 million carers who provide the backbone to our country. Despite acknowledging that there are many organisations who are funded to provide incredible supports for Carers such as counselling services and support groups, we have identified that there is a still a gap in the market to assist Carers who are experiencing financial stress. In order to address this gap, Rural Lifestyle Options Australia has developed our latest Unfunded Project, the Caring for Carers Emergency Relief Program.
 

Want to help?

If you would like to assist in funding our Caring For Carers Emergency Relief Program, you can support our fundraising efforts by: 

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  • Donating or shopping at our Preloved Homewares Op Shop

  • Donate your containers using our Containers for Change Scheme ID (C10072058)

  • Buying a Play For Purpose ticket 

  • Leaving a Bequest

  • Making a Donation

  • Offering in-kind support through your business or Workplace 

  • Hosting a fundraising event in your Workplace 

  • Registering your business to support RLOA through a Workplace Giving program

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Have another way you think you or your business can support this program?

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Send an email to social@rloa.org.au to discuss your idea today! 

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Whilst Rural Lifestyle Options Australia was founded in providing high quality disability support, today we have grown to supporting people experiencing a range of community hardships, re-enforced by our vision of ‘Changing lives, stronger communities’.   
Where the funds go

100% of total funds received through our fundraising efforts support our Caring For Carers Emergency Relief Program - which provides emergency relief to families and communities in need. 

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