Vinnies Wimmera regional conference President Chris Hogan said winter could come with its unique challenges, as utility bills rise and people are stuck inside.

"It is a time of year where things are pushed to their limits," he said.

"Winter creates an extra burden on people. If people are sleeping rough - for them to be out in the middle of summer is one thing, but winter is another."

In May, Vinnies launched its annual winter appeal to support homelessness.

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The charitable organisation aims to ramp up fundraising efforts as the colder months set in to make sure Australian's affected by homelessness can be safely homed.

This year's key concerns are the stripping back of COVID-19 financial supports and lowering the JobSeeker payment.

Mr Hogan said the organisation was worried many would come back to relying on welfare groups like the Vinnies and the Salvos as people struggle to make ends meet.

"In a general sense, we haven't seen a massive increase just yet - but we are expecting it," he said.

"Because we had just come out of a decrease in government support, we haven't seen the flow-on effects.

"We haven't felt the rush just yet but we are expecting it, and I would dare say any of the support agencies in the Wimmera are expecting to see an increase."

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Aside from running the Vinnies stores, the St Vincent de Paul Society provides financial support to at-risk community members, using funds from store purchases and donations.

Mr Hogan said this work was often unseen, with Vinnies providing services such as grocery and fuel vouchers, paying for utility bills and finding crisis housing.

He said the pandemic was a difficult time for many in the Wimmera.

"There are always going to be family situations that aren't ideal, whether that is verbal, physical or mental abuse. We have noticed that it has exacerbated a bit more due to COVID, because people have been working from home and confined to home," he said.

"The availability of rental housing in the Wimmera is becoming less and less. Also, the cost of it is going up because the real estate prices are going up, and the rentals are going with it.

"It is a bit of a two pronged attack because we have a lack of available housing and rent is starting to increase too. Trying to find somewhere for people to go to support them is becoming harder. "

Mr Hogan said another critical issue facing the Wimmera was the availability of mental health services.

"Mental health support is becoming a bigger thing across the board. In a regional area the ability to be able to find the experts that deal in this area are hard to come by," he said.

"I think that is where people slip between the cracks, because the support is limited and there is only so much we can do to support them."

The organisation has been vocal about its opposition to decreasing JobSeeker payments.

Vinnies national President Claire Victory said the September 2020 cuts to JobSeeker pushed 370,000 people back into poverty.

"The first cut to JobSeeker from $550 to $250 in September 2020 pushed 370,000 people back into poverty, including 80,000 children. The second cut from $250 to $150 in January 2021 pushed a further 190,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children," she said.

"It has also placed 124,000 more families at increased risk of homelessness, with low wage earners, casual workers and single parents experiencing greater rates of job insecurity and lost income than other groups. That means more than 25,000 children under the age of 18 face homelessness each night.

"As children move from one temporary accommodation to another, routines are lost, friendships are broken, and education suffers. The critical years of childhood become filled with trauma, with long-term impacts for the future.

"The Society is providing vital services and support for individuals and families facing financial hardship."

To donate to the winter appeal, visit vinnies.org.au, or call 13 18 12.

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