Medical Support 
Grants 
Food & Essentials 
Children's Items 
Utility Bills Assistance 
Housing & Homeless Support 
Resources Medical Support
We help eligible residents access essential medications through trusted partners.
Gertz Avenue Pharmacy Waiver (also tells people that its a one stop shop)
WCC partners with Gertz Avenue Pharmacy to provide medication waivers
Who can access this support
You may be eligible if you:
- Live in the City of Whittlesea
- Hold a Centrelink Concession Card or Health Care Card
- Have a valid doctor’s prescription for PBS-listed medications
How it works:
- WCC completes a referral form
- Community members attend Gertz Avenue Pharmacy (Reservoir) to collect their
medications - Delivery may be available if required
Hume and Whittlesea Pharmacy Waiver (clarify Hume)
WCC partners with Cabrini Outreach to support Asylum Seekers to access essential medications
Who can access this support
You may be eligible if you: (Eligibility Criteria)
- Are an Asylum seekers on a Bridging Visa
- Live in the City of Whittlesea
- Have no regular income
- Have a valid doctors prescription for medication
How it works:
- WCC completes the referral form
- The community member attends an appointment with Cabrini at WCC office
- Cabrini completes the medication waiver
- The community member then attends a pharmacy in (Epping) to collect their medications
Grants
Queens Fund Grants
WCC partners with the Queens Fund to provide one-off grants of up to $500 for essential expenses (example x 4) such as car registration, rent arrears, or other urgent costs.
Who can access this support
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a single women living in the City of Whittlesea
- Are experiencing financial stress, crisis or an emergency situation
- Who has lived in Victoria for the past 12 months
- Have not received support from the Queens Fund in the last 12 months
How it works:
- WCC completes the application form (supporting documentation required)
- Queens Fund reviews applications on the 3rd Monday of every month
- Community member is advised of the outcome
- If approved, payment is processed
Food & Essentials
We provide food and essential items to people experiencing hardship.
Food Boxes
WCC partners with SecondBite/Fairshare for frozen meals and Pinchpoo for toiltery packs (including shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbushes, and soap. Fresh produce is purchased from Melbourne Wholesale Market in Epping . (Potenitally simplify – only state resources once)
Who can access this support
You may be eligible for this support if you:
- Live in the City of Whittlesea
How it works:
- Community member can access up to three seasonal fruit and vegetable boxes in a 6 month period
- Community member can also access frozen meals (meat, vegetarian and halal)
- Community member can request toiletry packs if needed
- Program operates on Tuesdays and Fridays. Delivery or pick up can be arranged.
- For pantry items, WCC can refer community members directly to Encompass Care, who WCC partners with (centred seperately)
Children's Items
WCC partners with Big Group Hug (BGH) to provide essential items for children aged 0 – 16 years.
Support may include:
- Clothing, nappies, formula, toiletries, prams, car seats, nursery furniture, toys, books, games and educational supplies (puzzles, craft etc)
You may be eligible if you:
- Live in the City of Whittlesea
- Are a parent or care giver of a child aged 0 – 16 years of age
How it works:
- WCC completes the application form
- BGH packs and prepares the items
- Once items are available, WCC delivers them to community members homes on Wednesdays, or the client can collect from WCC
Utility Bills Assistance
WCC can help residents apply for Utility Relief Grants of up to $650 per utility for gas, water, and electricity. Also add add/backdate concessions, payment arrangements etc
You may be eligible for support if you:
- Live in the City of Whittlesea
- Have a Centrelink Concession Card or
- Part of a low income households (income thresholds applies)
How it works:
- WCC supports the community member to call their utility company and submit a Utility Relief Grant (URG) application
- Applications are assessed and processed by the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
- If approved payments are made directly to the utility provider
- WCC can also assist the community member to set up a payment arrangement if needed
Housing & Homeless Support
Helpful tools and information to support community members with emergency relief and financial wellbeing.
Whittlesea Emergency Relief Calendar
A calendar showing emergency relief services available across the City of Whittlesea, including
days, times and service types.
Financial Wellbeing Booklet (Available in 7 languages)
A practical booklet with information on budgeting, managing bills, and accessing financial support. Available in seven community languages.
Click on a resource below to view or download. If you need help accessing any of these resources, please contact WCC.
Resources
If you or someone you know – a family member or friend is experiencing difficulties, there are services available to provide support for family violence, mental health, or financial hardship.
Family Violence
- Orange Door – support for adults, children and families experiencing family violence
- Safe Steps – 24/7 family violence response line for safety and crisis support
Mental Health
- Lifeline – 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention
- Whittlesea Local Mental Health & Wellbeing Services services – Local mental health support
Financial Counselling/Debt Support
- Uniting Financial Counselling – Assistance managing debts and budgeting
- National Debt Helpline – Free, confidential financial counselling service
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000