The service, which has resumed after being paused during COVID-19, is designed to support people with paperwork issues they cannot resolve themselves with Services Australia.
Mr Simpson, who has been the region’s most outspoken and active campaigner to improve the awareness of and services available to dementia sufferers, said he would be promoting the use of the service heavily.
“They (Services Australia) are only operating by appointment and referral, so we need people to take up the offer and book a time to speak with them,” he said.
KCLC has been a Services Australia agent at its Lake Rd location for many years, providing crucial support to the community. It is open every business day.
Before making an appointment, people will be asked a few questions to ensure they receive the appropriate assistance. As a Services Australia agent, KCLC offers various services, including accessing digital services such as MyGov.
KCLC chief executive Jen Savage said the Services Australia community engagement officer was an important asset in the services KCLC was able to provide.
“Our team are very limited in the amount of support they are able to provide as an agent. The officer is able to provide greater scope and support similar to a full service centre,” she said.
She said the service would increase people’s ability to access the support they required, but was not quicker than Echuca or Shepparton service centres.
“The worker is available for anyone with complicated applications, not just isolated to one particular cohort or group within our community,” Mrs Savage said.
“As a Services Australia agent, we are able to print forms, provide access to self-service computers and phones; however, the community engagement officer is able to support in a wider array programs and knowledge of funding available for community.”
This initiative was on the wish list of the dementia group, which has been meeting at the KCLC headquarters for just on two years.
A priority for Service Australia’s visiting community engagement officer will be assisting people experiencing barriers and needing assistance with complex applications.
“It’s such an important service to have because many people like me living with dementia or a disability struggle to do things online. The return of this service to Kyabram will be fantastic,” Mr Simpson said.
Mr Simpson encouraged Kyabram residents that were experiencing difficulties or barriers to the Service Australia system to take up the offer.
“People can walk into KCLC, see some familiar faces at the front counter and inquire about information related to Service Australia,” he said.
“People unsure of how to use online services to investigate their eligibility for assistance can benefit enormously.”
Mr Simpson and his Don’t Demention It group were given an insight into the workings of the new program when officers from Shepparton Centrelink spoke at their recent meeting.
“We had Jackie and Christian out of the Shepparton office visit our meeting recently. It is one of the most important meetings we have held,” he said.
The service, according to Mr Simpson, will allow people to further research what services are available to them.
“After that first meeting two people made appointments immediately. They heard about things they didn’t know were available to them and they have acted on it straight away,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Don’t Demention It group will continue to meet on the last Thursday of every month, maintaining awareness and offering support for dementia services, including the Dementia Voices Alliance.
Mr Simpson, who has been advised not to continue his Kyabram to Melbourne fundraising walks for health reasons, said he was now in a more “stationary” role in Allan St.
“I am set up at a card table down the street every fortnight as a means of maintaining awareness of dementia and the services we offer,” he said.
“At our last meeting we had almost 30 people at the luncheon.”
There is now an Echuca group offering support, more on an online basis, and another active group at Bendigo.
For more information about the Services Australia weekly appointments, which are weekly from 10am, or the Don’t Demention It group, contact KCLC on 5852 0000.
