How to get free money advice from Centrelink
When you’re in financial trouble, making complicated fiscal decisions can feel like trying to navigate your way through a sandstorm, without a compass. What’s almost as difficult is figuring out who you should go to for money advice.
Your family, friends and the guy behind the bar at the local will all have their opinions about the right call, but their advice isn’t always going to be bang on the money.
So, what’s someone on a restricted income to do?
Well, one option is making the most of the free tools at your disposal. Centrelink isn’t always in the news for the best reasons, but the government department does offer a variety of services to inform senior citizens about money matters.
Centrelink runs a Financial Information Service (FIS), which can be accessed via seminars, one-on-one appointments, to help you make informed investment decisions.
Speaking with one of Centrelink’s FIS officers is a great way to verse yourself in some of the more complicated aspects of personal finance, like investments and superannuation, and get a sense of the options at your disposal.
That said, there are some restrictions. FIS officers are not allowed to recommend specific financial advisers, products or investments. Instead, you should see your appointment with an FIS officer as an opportunity to get your head around the length and breadth of your financial situation, before ultimately making the decision yourself.
If you’re interested in making an appointment with one of Centrelink’s Financial Information Service officers or would simply like to learn more, visit the Centrelink website, or call the government department directly at 13 2300.
Have you used this service before? Let us know your experience in the comments below.