In theory, anyone experiencing financial crisis or unexpected hardship can get emergency relief. Some services make a point of being available to anyone in an emergency who walks in off the street. However, the reality is that demand is greater than supply. There is not enough to go around. So agencies have to put conditions on who they can help and how often they can help them.

Many services are limited to people who live in the local area. So you may need ID showing your address to get emergency relief. You can avoid going to the wrong place by phoning ahead, otherwise, you may be sent somewhere else. Some agencies will give you a Met card if transport is a problem, but not all agencies have them. For some agencies, you need a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card to qualify for emergency relief. Many places may require you to be interviewed by a social worker.

Some drug and alcohol users say they are treated like second-class citizens when they try to apply for emergency relief and material aid. Unfortunately, whether you have a good or a bad experience largely depends on who you get at the time. Many emergency relief services are run by elderly volunteers, who may not have had any formal training in dealing with drug and alcohol issues. What state you're in when you approach the volunteers might also affect how you're treated.

Each emergency relief agency listed below gave their approval to appear in this directory. It is hoped this means you will be treated with respect if you approach any of these agencies for assistance. You have a right to access services, and to be treated with dignity and respect when dealing with emergency relief providers. If you believe that you have been discriminated against, you are encouraged to make a formal complaint in order to help improve services for other people in the future (see Chapter 14, Making a Complaint).