Thumbs-up for emergency relief program

New study shows clients feel positively about the Society NSW’s emergency relief program.

 

Responses from 900 people with experience of the emergency relief program administered by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW have shown that it is seen to provide ‘crucial assistance during crises’, is effective in preventing specific crises, including eviction and severe hunger, and significantly enhances the well-being of clients.

These, and a range of other encouraging findings, have emerged from a study conducted for the Society NSW by the McKell Institute, an independent, not-for-profit research organisation dedicated to advancing practical policy solutions to contemporary issues.

Emergency relief services help those experiencing hardships with tailored support, including short-term accommodation, food aid, essential items, healthcare assistance, transport aid, and utility bill payments. The Society NSW’s emergency relief services provide immediate crisis assistance and act as gateways to additional support like legal aid, mental health services, and domestic violence assistance

“Emergency relief services offer a crucial 'hand up' rather than a 'hand out', reaching people at their most vulnerable points and providing immediate support to prevent deeper crises.

The report, Immediate Aid, Measurable Impact: Examining the effectiveness of Emergency Relief, is Part 1 of a two-part series examining the changing nature of poverty in NSW that the McKell Institute is undertaking in partnership with the Society NSW.

Launched by the federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, it notes that the twin projects ‘work to offer an understanding of the evolving nature of poverty in Australia, while articulating the levers governments have at their disposal to address its immediate impacts.

‘Emergency relief services, such as those provided by various charities and community organisations like the Society NSW, play an essential role in the early intervention space and alleviating poverty, especially during cost of living crises such as that being felt by millions of Australians today’.

The report is informed by quantitative survey data of the 900 individuals and qualitative insights gathered from interviews conducted between June and July 2024. Its findings are further informed by analysis of the Society NSW’s Client Assistance Management System (CAMS) metadata regarding emergency relief over previous years.

Other key findings include a significant majority of respondents (78.1 per cent) feeling that support from the Society NSW has been instrumental in their progress towards stability and self-sufficiency: ‘This indicates that the program effectively addresses needs before they escalate into more severe crises.’

While all respondent cohorts reported overall satisfaction, regional Australians showed greater agreement that the Society NSW’s support helps with food security, living expenses, and housing stability: ‘This indicates that local links and community integration enhance the effectiveness of support services, particularly in addressing regional challenges where other services may be sparse and the importance of fostering a more tailored and responsive approach.’

The survey also revealed high demand and satisfaction among disabled recipients, with 25.8 per cent of the Society NSW’s clientele relying on the Disability Support Pension (DSP), compared to 3.7 per cent of the general population. Some 70.1 per cent of DSP recipients agreed that the Society NSW’s support helped cover living expenses, compared to 65 per cent of the general sample.

‘Emergency relief programs are growing in importance and form an essential component of the Australian safety net, playing a critical role in the early intervention space and alleviating poverty,’ said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO. 

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