Program Update
The Australian Government provides a financial assistance package of up to $5,000 to help people leave a violent intimate partner relationship. This was previously known as the Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) and is transitioning into a permanent program called the Leaving Violence Program.
1. What is the $5,000 Package?
The support is not a single $5,000 cash payment. Instead, it is a "wrap-around" package designed to cover the immediate costs of establishing a safe, independent life. It typically consists of:
- Up to $1,500 in cash: (or cash equivalent like a debit card) for immediate needs like food, fuel, or emergency transport.
- Up to $3,500 in goods and services: Paid directly to providers. This can include rental bonds, removalist costs, school uniforms, essential furniture, or security upgrades for a new home.
- Support Services: Access to a caseworker for up to 12 weeks to help with safety planning, risk assessments, and referrals to other legal or health services.
2. Who is Eligible?
To access this specific payment, a person must meet the following criteria:
- Age & Residency: Must be 18 years or older and an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or (under the new program) a temporary visa holder.
- The Relationship: The violence must be from an intimate partner (e.g., a spouse or de facto partner). It currently does not cover violence from other family members like parents or siblings.
- The Timing: The person must have left the relationship within the last 12 weeks, or be planning to leave very soon with a safe plan in place.
- Financial Stress: They must be experiencing financial hardship and be unable to meet their immediate needs due to the change in living circumstances.
3. Can They Self-Manage?
No, the person cannot self-manage the full $5,000. While they have control over how the $1,500 cash portion is spent, the remaining $3,500 is managed through a designated provider.
The provider pays the bills (like a bond or a furniture store) directly on the person's behalf. This is designed to ensure the funds are used for safety and stability and to reduce the administrative burden on the person fleeing violence.
4. Do They Need a Certain Provider?
Yes. The program is delivered by a network of community organizations. You cannot apply for this through a standard Centrelink claim form; you must go through the authorized providers.
The primary provider is UnitingCare. Depending on where the person is located, they should contact the following:
- NSW & ACT: Uniting NSW.ACT
- VIC, TAS, SA, WA, QLD, & NT: UnitingCare Australia
5. How to Apply (The Process)
- Contact a Provider: Call 1800 387 387 (the national EVP line) or visit the UnitingCare EVP website to start an application.
- Initial Assessment: A caseworker will talk to them to confirm they meet the eligibility rules. They may ask for evidence of the violence (like a police report, a letter from a GP, or a domestic violence support service).
- Safety Planning: The caseworker will help create a plan to ensure the person is safe while they transition.
- Receiving Funds: Once approved, the cash portion is usually provided quickly, and the caseworker will begin arranging payments for the goods and services needed.
6. Other Options
If the person does not qualify for the $5,000 EVP, they should look into:
- Centrelink Crisis Payment: A one-off payment for people in extreme circumstances. Apply directly through Services Australia.
- 1800RESPECT: For 24/7 counseling and advice on all available local supports, call 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.