About this resource
Asking for help can be hard, especially in a crisis. This checklist helps people prepare: listing what they need right now, what services may ask about, what to bring if they have it, and what to do if a service cannot help, so they can get support with less stress.
Purpose
To make asking for emergency relief less stressful and more successful.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Community services and case workers. Also relevant for social workers.
Client or participant group: Adults and families seeking emergency relief, food or material aid.
Practice setting: Emergency relief services, community centres and casework.
Suggested uses
- Preparing clients for emergency relief appointments
- Self-guided preparation
- Reducing repeated visits
- Linking emergency relief to longer-term support
Instructions for practitioners
- Go through the checklist with the client, without judgement.
- Explain that requirements vary between services.
- Plan a backup if the first service cannot help.
- Link emergency relief to longer-term supports such as financial counselling.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Write what you need right now.
- Gather anything you can bring.
- Write down where else you can go if needed.
Accessibility considerations
Use plain language and interpreters. Bring a support person if helpful.
Scope and limitations
A preparation checklist. Requirements vary between services; check with each service.
Research basis
Debt and financial stress are strongly linked with poorer mental and physical health, so practical financial support is part of holistic care. Case management practice standards describe assessment, planning, coordination, review and planned exits with the person at the centre.
- Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand. (2013). National standards of practice for case management (3rd ed.). https://www.cmsa.org.au/
- Richardson, T., Elliott, P., & Roberts, R. (2013). The relationship between personal unsecured debt and mental and physical health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(8), 1148–1162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.08.009
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
