WA CHARITIES will share millions of dollars to boost financial counselling services, as pressures grow on families to make ends meet.

Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher will today announce the cash that will aid financial literacy as well as a financial counselling helpline.

Of $11.5 million for the helpline, WA’s branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society will get $1.7 million, UnitingCare West will get $810,000 and the Jacaranda Community Centre will receive $405,000.

A further $62 million has been committed for financial counselling and capability programs. Of that, $1.7 million will go to the WA St Vincent de Paul for a range of services.

The Winun Ngari Aboriginal Corporation, Kullarri Employment Services and the Ngunga Womens Group Aboriginal Corporation will share in more than $1.3 million for programs in the West Kimberley and Derby region.

CentreCare Incorporated will receive more than $160,000 for its work to help problem gamblers in Perth.

Mr Fletcher said helping people organise their finances was part of a broader plan to make communities more stable.

“We’re conscious of the impact of the drought and the fact that Christmas is looming which is a time that can put families under additional financial stress,” he said.

“These are targeted services that give other Australians a hand-up and in the long run they’re going to make many people less reliant on welfare.”