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C-BERSS EX-PRESS
June 2000
Issue 2, Vol 3
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All Newsletters : June 2000 : Money Matters
Money Matters
C-BERSS clients who are on a limited income may be eligible for financial assistance through a range of schemes to pay for such things as re-unification travel, essential household items, and even for future funeral expenses. C-BERSS can advise on the help that is available to ex-residents who have practical or personal needs but do not have the financial means to pay for them. Listed below are a selection of financial support schemes available to ex-residents who are on a low income.
Reunification Travel Expenses
(Available through the British Migrant Support Fund)
The British Government has set up a fund to help former Child Migrants who were born in the United Kingdom reunite with primary family members. The fund is operated in Australia by International Social Services (ISS) based in Melbourne. C-BERSS has ISS application forms and can assist in making an application for a reunification trip funded by the British Government.
Eligibility
The funding assistance is available only to former child migrants who are unable to pay their own travel expenses (this is means tested and applies only to people who earn less than $1,100 a fortnight gross income).
Other eligibility conditions also apply. The applicant must:
 have been born in England, the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland
be a former child migrant
have a primary living relative overseas whom they have never met and who wishes to meet them. Assistance may be available even if the applicant has previously met other primary relatives overseas. A primary family member is classified as a mother, father, brother, sister, uncle or aunt.
For further details contact Michael Anderson or Sjoukje Tarbox at C-BERSS.
Essential Household Items
(Available through the WA Government's No Interest Loan Scheme NILS)
The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) provides loans of up to $1,000 for low income earners to purchase essential household goods for which they have urgent need but cannot afford to purchase otherwise. Applications are assessed by the NILS Loans Committee according to certain conditions. C-BERSS is now an agent for NILS enabling ex-residents to lodge their applications through us. For further details contact Mary Kearns or Sue Fullerton at C-BERSS.
Funeral Expenses
(Available through Bowra and O'Dea)
Some C-BERSS' clients (who we hope are contemplating a far distant future) have expressed their concerns about the high costs of funerals. Funeral directors Bowra and O'Dea have a long association with the Christian Brothers and have agreed to offer C-BERSS' clients a generous discount for their funeral plan. A funeral to suit individual requirements can be purchased in advance or paid off over a two or three year period.
If you would like further information of the offer from Bowra and O'Dea or if you would like us to arrange a letter of introduction, please contact Mary Kearns at C-BERSS.
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