Centrelink assistance in emergencies

Centrelink has a range of payments and services that you may be eligible for to support you in an emergency or crisis, whether or not you are already a Centrelink customer.

Income Support Payments—you may be eligible for Centrelink payments if your income has been reduced as a result of an emergency.

• Newstart Allowance
• Youth Allowance
• Disability Support Pension
• Sickness Allowance
• Austudy
• ABSTUDY
• Parenting Payment
• Age Pension
• Special Benefit.

Crisis Payment—you may be entitled to a Crisis Payment if you are receiving an Income Support Payment from Centrelink and you have to leave your home and establish a new home due to extreme circumstances such as a natural disaster.

Note: You cannot get a Crisis Payment if you are eligible for or have received another state or Commonwealth disaster payment for the same emergency. If you have only received in-kind assistance, such as replacement of electrical goods or the provision of food, you may still get a Crisis Payment.

Advance Payment—an advance of your future income support payment, paid as a lump sum, to help with your expenses. Deductions from your regular income support payment will be made automatically over 13 fortnights to repay the Advance Payment.

Special Child Care Benefit—is extra assistance which may be available to help with the cost of childcare for families affected by a crisis or disaster.

Urgent Payment—a portion of your regular Centrelink payment may be paid before your payday if you are in severe financial hardship due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.

Payment methods

Different payment methods may be available to make sure you have the money you need to assist you, when you need it most, in an emergency.

What other assistance is available?

Centrelink social workers and psychologists can provide counselling, support and information. Centrelink Indigenous Service Officers, Multicultural Service Officers, Community Engagement Officers, Rural Service Officers and other specialist officers can also assist. Phone 13 1794 to speak to a social worker or make an appointment to see a social worker.

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Do you use Centrepay?

If so, you should contact Centrelink on your normal payment number as soon as possible if you want to stop or change your deductions.

For more information

You can contact us on:

• Employment Services: 13 2850
• Youth and Students: 13 2490
• Family Payments: 13 6150
• Retirement: 13 2300
• Disability, Sickness and Carers: 13 2717.

You can also contact us using other methods.

For further information about assistance for the emergency you can refer to the Disaster Assist website.

Self Service

Centrelink’s self service facilities are a range of quick and convenient ways to report, update or simply view your personal details without having to visit a Customer Service Centre or speak to a Customer Service Adviser over the phone. Customers can access self service in 3 ways: by phone, online or in a Customer Service Centre. Registering for Centrelink self service is as easy as referring to Registering for Online Services or calling your regular '13' number.

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Other useful contacts

Emergency

• Fire, Police, Ambulance (24 hour): 000
• State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500

State/Territory Contacts

Community

• Salvation Army: 13 72 58
• Australian Red Cross: www.redcross.org.au
• Lifeline: 13 11 14

Counselling

• Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 (Depression and anxiety related matters)
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 200 526
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Health

Health Emergency Hotline: 180 2007

Overseas

• Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Emergency Service: 1300 555 135 within Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.
• Australian Passport Office: 131 232

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