How long will my Health and Wellbeing application take?

We have a large number of requests each day. To make sure we get them all done as quickly as possible we need to process them in batches:-

• Food vouchers will be processed around 4pm. Requests received after 2pm may not be processed the same day.

• White goods, bills etc take from 3-7 days. 

• Payments for utilities such as electricity are paid by credit card on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Processing may be held up if we need to chase information like signed application forms, quotes, set up new accounts with new suppliers or if the request is outside the guidelines. 

How do I apply for funds?

To apply for funds please follow these steps: -

1. Call us or call in to request the relevant form, you can pick them up from the Gumala office in Tom Price or we can mail, email or fax them to you. 

2. Request a quote from the supplier

3. Fax back to Gumala the completed and SIGNED application form and the quote

4. We will check your membership status and balance of funds

5. On approval, a Purchase order or Credit card authorisation will be faxed to the supplier and you can pick up your goods, or proceed with your treatment.

NOTE

• For Dental and Ancillary Treatment Gumala will pay for your initial appointment, to allow for your assessment and a quote to be sent to Gumala.

• Funeral funds are allocated to a nominated family member and are for the burial, direct family to attend, and the wake; the funds are not meant for general attendance

• A voucher for fuel to attend a funeral can be requested from your Health and Well Being funds

When are the AGM's and BBQ's?

Gumala Traditional Owners are invited to attend the Annual General Meetings (AGM)s of Gumala Investments PL (GIPL) and Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC)

VENUE: Sports Pavilion, Tom Price

DATES: GIPL 29th November, from 10am, GAC 30th Nov from 9am

Q. When is the next BBQ?

There are no more BBQ's for 2008

Sport and Recreation Program

The Sport and Recreation Program is designed to assist Members’ participation in organized activities with an annual grant for this purpose.

Gumala Home Loan Scheme

Gumala can assist with an interest free loan when purchasing your own home. Contact MSU for further information.

Education Support

Gumala Scholarship Program will pay for education expenses NOT covered by Abstudy. Contact us to discuss this program if you have a child who would like to attend school in Perth for example, or if you are intending on furthering your education at TAFE or university.  GAC can assist with fees and other related expenses (not already covered by Abstudy).

Computer Support

If your child is in Year 11 or 12 at High School or you are attending TAFE or other tertiary institution and enrolled for a period of at least 2 years you are eligible to apply for this program. Please call MSU and discuss your needs with staff prior to making your application as there are conditions that will apply.

Critically Ill Patient Support

Hospitals and big cities can be a daunting experience for anyone, and this program is designed to provide support to those who are critically ill by assisting family members to be with the patient for a period of time while they are in hospital.

Funeral Program

Gumala will fund the funeral of a Gumala Member depending on support from the Department of Families and other organizations like IBN. A grant may also be available for a headstone for persons deceased for some time, where there are no markings to identify the grave site and where for cultural reasons a marking is important.

Ancillary Health Program

The Ancillary Health Program is for Optical and other health needs outside the Dental Program.

Pensioner Health & Wellbeing

Members listed as Elderly and Infirm receive Pensioner Health and Wellbeing funds around the end of September of each year.

To be listed as Elderly and Infirmed, members need to provid proof (letter from Centrelink) that they are receiving the Age Pension or a Disability Pension. 

As per the Health & Wellbeing Benefit it is intended for the purchase of white goods; the payment of utilities, i.e. phone, power bills, water bills etc; motor vehicle repairs and fines (prior to the 14th April 2008), or monthly food vouchers. 

Dental Program

Funds are available to member each year for dental treatment. We have dentists who are working with Gumala to ensure a fast response to your application. 

• Please call the Member Services Unit for the name of a Dentist in your town and we will tell you what you need to do to access treatment.

Health and Well Being Benefit

A ONE OFF benefit made to Members who are not receiving the Pensioner Health & Wellbeing or listed as Elderly and Infirmed. 

• Anyone who is over the age of 18 and a Registered Gumala Traditional Owner is eligible for Health and Wellbeing, one-off payment that will conclude on 31 December, 2008.

• Health and Wellbeing Benefit is intended for the purchase of white goods; the payment of utilities, i.e. phone, power bills, water bills etc; motor vehicle repairs and fines (prior to the 14th April 2008), and/or monthly food vouchers.

• Food voucher requests are generally faxed to the store around 4pm daily. Late requests received after 2pm may not be processed the same day, though urgent requests get special consideration.

• If your application is for other items within the guidelines and we have an account set up with your supplier requests for electrical items, kitchen appliances, fridges and washing machines etc can be processed within 7 days.

• When orders are ready they will be faxed to the store and we will give you a call to let you know they are complete.

• You will be informed if a version of this program is to be run in 2009. Currently there are no plans to repeat Health and Wellbeing.

What is available from the Member Services Unit?

The Member Services Unit at Gumala was established in May this year as a service to support our Gumala Traditional Owners and to assist in coping with the growing demand for our ever increasing number of programs available to our Members.

This is just a brief list of what Gumala can offer its Registered Members-
• Health and Wellbeing Benefit
• Pensioner Health & Wellbeing
• Dental Program
• Ancillary Health Program (Optometry, Physio etc)
• Funeral Program
• Critically Ill Patient Support
• Computer Support
• Education Support and Gumala Scholarship Programs
• Gumala Home Loan Scheme
• Sport and Recreation Program

To receive any of these benefits it is important that the right application forms are completed and the information needed to support your application is received at the time of your application.

Welcome to Gumala News

• We have set up this Blog so that we can communicate better with our members.
• We plan to post Frequently Asked Questions, (FAQ's) and give you up to date information on our programs and schemes -as things happen.
• We encourage feedback from members as we want this to be an interactive forum where you can voice your ideas, concerns or even encouragement. We will look at this to see how we are going and adjust or create programs and procedures that better serve our Gumala community.