Crisis Payment for Family and Domestic Violence
There are requirements to meet including contacting Centrelink or make a claim within 7 days of your living arrangements changing. After contacting them, you have 14 days from the date you contact Centrelink to submit the completed claim form
Some documents that may assist Centrelink in assessing your claim are: Personal statements or statements from family or friends or statutory declarations
Other supporting documents can include
- Police reports or intervention orders
- Letters from support services (refuge, counsellor, doctor)
- Court documents
- Text messages or emails showing abuse
IMPORTANT: If you don’t have documents, they can still help you. Contact Centrelink and they’ll work with you to find other options
Other Centrelink Payments Available
Income Support Payments
- If you don’t already get a payment, you may be eligible for:
- JobSeeker Payment
- Parenting Payment (if you have children)
- Disability Support Pension
- Age Pension
Family Tax Benefit
If you have dependent children, you may also be able to get Family Tax Benefit. You can also claim child support with the Child Support Agency
Exemptions from Requirements
- When experiencing family violence, you may be temporarily exempt from:
- Mutual obligation requirements (job searching)
- Partner income tests
For Pension, the exemption is granted for up to 13 weeks, with the possibility of an extension
Protecting Your Safety When Dealing with Centrelink
Before You Claim
It’s important to protect yourself when you’re claiming a Crisis Payment. This means you may need to change your details or nominee arrangements before you start your claim
Actions You Can Take
- Change your mailing address to somewhere safe
- Update your phone number
- Set up a myGov account with a new email the perpetrator doesn’t know
- Remove any nominee arrangements if the perpetrator was your nominee
- Request that all communication be confidential
- Clear your internet search history after applying
Privacy
Any information you give us is private. Social workers are trained in family violence and understand the need for confidentiality.
Social Worker Support
If you’re concerned about you or your children’s safety, you can also call your regular payment line and ask to speak with a social worker
Social workers can
- Help you claim the right payments
- Connect you to legal services including legal aid
- Refer you to support services like refuges and counselling
- Explain your options if it’s not safe to complete a claim
- Help you get paid from the earliest date possible
- Provide information about other support available
- If You Reconcile with Your Partner
If you reconcile with your partner, it is important to tell Centrelink about any changes in your relationship status within 14 days of the change. Not keeping Centrelink informed could cause problems
- Key Contact Numbers
- Indigenous Call Centre: 1800 136 380
Multilingual phone service: Available for non-English speakers 131 202 https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/information-your-language?context=64107#multicultural
Important Tips
- Act quickly – You only have 7 days from when your living situation changes to make contact
- Don’t wait for documents – Apply anyway, they’ll work with you
- Ask for help – Support services can help you apply
- Speak to a social worker – They’re specially trained and can fast-track your claim
- Keep yourself safe – Change your details before applying if needed
- You can only be paid from when you make contact – so claim as soon as possible