The Department of Social Services did not renew its funding contract with Hepburn Health in the 2015-16 year, instead channelling the money through four Ballarat-based religious agencies – Child and Family Services, Anglicare, Uniting Care and Salvation Army.

Former Daylesford resident Annie Massi said some of her close Daylesford friends, who asked to remain anonymous, were unable to access help for paying bills or purchasing firewood like they had in the past.

Mrs Massi, who is returning to the township to live, said one person she knew had been able to access help from Hepburn Health in the past for paying gas bills and buying petrol.

This winter, when the same person asked for help again, they were turned down.

“I called them and asked what was happening and they explained to me that that funding had been dispersed among three different religious charities and taken out of the town, which means people have to go to Ballarat and beg,” Mrs Massi said.

“It’s just humiliating. And what about people who can’t get to Ballarat?”

Shane Richardson, manager for integrated primary care for Hepburn Health, said his organisation was currently in negotiations with the four Ballarat agencies and other community-based groups to support the continued delivery of emergency relief, “albeit in a reduced capacity”.

“Hepburn Health Services employees three welfare workers and provides a range of welfare supports to the community,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services said its funding for the four organisations in Ballarat also covered Daylesford.

The spokesperson said the funding had been revised to better target areas of need, using statistics from the census to rank areas based on socio-economic disadvantage. They said the department monitored providers’ delivery, demand and needs.