Our Services
At Thrive, we are fortunate to be supported by our local community to provide essential items to those in need. As we do not receive government funding to provide this support to our community, our assistance is dependent on availability.
Emergency relief assistance drop-in days:
Monday: 10:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 3:00pm
WHERE: 2 Station Street, Katoomba 2780
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any home delivery support.
Material aid support (dependent on availability)
We provide the following material aid support to residents of our local community:
- Non-perishable pantry items
- Baby essentials e.g. nappies, baby food
- Sanitary products
- Toiletries
Fresh food hampers
In partnership with Second Bite and Coles Katoomba, we provide fresh food hampers (fruit, vegetables & bakery items) from 1:00pm – 3:00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
As these hampers are dependent on quantity of product we receive through Second Bite, we are unable to hold hampers for anyone.
Bill assistance (by appointment only)
Bill assistance is provided through the NSW government Energy Payments Assistance (EAPA) scheme for people having trouble paying their energy bill because of a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency. An eligible hardship, crisis or emergency may include loss of income, unexpected medical costs or natural disaster. This is an expense that was not expected, which has impacted on your ability to pay your energy bills. Expected expenses such as car registration, usual bills and consistently receiving a low income (or Centrelink pension), is not considered a short-term financial crisis.
To receive support from Thrive for your energy bills you must call our office and book an appointment. Our staff will ask you a few initial questions to determine your short-term financial crisis and eligibility for bill assistance. You will need to provide details of the date and costing of the unexpected expense and may need to provide evidence if required. If you are assessed as eligible, you will be booked in for our next available appointment.
On the day of the appointment, our staff will complete an internal eligibility assessment, where we will ask you questions about the circumstances surrounding your short-term financial crisis. We then contact your energy provider while you are present to complete an assessment with them. We then lodge an application for the EAPA vouchers to be sent directly to your energy provider.
All of the following eligibility conditions must also apply:
- You have an electricity or natural gas account for your home in NSW.
- You're the account holder (the account and bill must be in your name).
- You have not paid your most recent bill.
- The bill you need help with is for an account that is still open (cannot be a final bill or closed account)
- You're having a short-term financial crisis or emergency and finding it hard to pay your recent energy bill.
- You cannot get EAPA if you've paid your bill in full. You must have at least $50 owing on your bill.
We have limited appointment times each week and there may be a wait times (sometimes up to 4 – 6 weeks). You can also apply for EAPA assistance through other local non-government services or Service NSW, the link below provides more detailed information about EAPA assistance, where you can access this support and the link to apply online through Service NSW.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/energy-accounts-payment-assistance-eapa-scheme
Contact your energy provider
After you have booked the appointment with our team, you should call your energy provider straight away to let them know you have applied for EAPA. Your energy provider cannot disconnect you while you’re waiting to be assessed for EAPA. You can also ask them what assistance they can offer you, such as payment options, switching energy plans, or starting a hardship plan.
Information, advice & referral
At Thrive, we work from a no wrong door approach, where we will do our best to help you find the support that’s right for you. If our programs are not suitable for your family, we will provide you with information, advice, recommendations and warm referral to other services if needed.
In partnership with Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre, Second Bite, Coles Katoomba, Energy Payments Assistance (EAPA) scheme, The Nappy Collective, Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club, Share the Dignity and Sleep Safe.
Thank you to all the generous community members and local organisations who have and continue to donate to us, without your support, this would not be possible!
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