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How do I claim Crisis Payment?

• Who can claim a Crisis Payment?
• What information do I need to make a claim?
• What forms do I need to complete?
• What factsheets are available?
• How do I find out more?

Who can claim Crisis Payment?

Crisis Payment is a special one-off payment that may be paid in addition to your regular payment from Centrelink. Crisis Payment may be paid where:

• you have been forced to leave your home and establish, or intend to establish, a new home because of an extreme circumstance such as domestic violence or a natural disaster, or
• you remain in your home after experiencing domestic violence and the family member responsible has left or been removed from your home, or
• you have been released from a prison or a correctional centre after being charged with an offence and imprisoned for a period of at least 14 days or
• you have arrived in Australia for the first time on a qualifying humanitarian visa on or after 1 January 2008

In all situations, to be eligible for a payment, you must be in severe financial hardship and must make a claim within 7 days of the event which has led to your need for Crisis Payment.

You must also be receiving, or be eligible to receive

• a social security benefit or pension - this includes payments such as Parenting Payment, Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension and Age Pension or
• ABSTUDY Living Allowance

Please note: You will not be eligible for a Crisis Payment if your only entitlement from Centrelink is a Family Tax Benefit payment or Child Care Benefit.

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What information do I need to make a claim?

You will need to provide proof of identity. You will also be asked for information about the event that has led to your need for a Crisis Payment.

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What forms do I need to complete?

You can download the claim form here or you can Telephone Us or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre.

• Go to the Crisis Payment - Extreme Circumstances Claim form
• Go to the Crisis Payment - Prison Release Claim form
• Go to the Claim for Crisis Payment Humanitarian Entrants form

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What factsheets are available?

• Go to the Crisis Payment Factsheet (Translated Version) .
• Go to the Crisis Payment for People in extreme circumstances Factsheet
• Go to the Crisis Payment for released prisoners Brochure
• Go to the Crisis Payment for Humanitarian Entrants Factsheet

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How do I find out more?

To find out more, you can:

• visit the Crisis Payment Index
• Telephone Us
• visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre.