Compassionate Financial Support Gift
The Compassionate Financial Support Gift provides some financial assistance to individuals who are suffering considerable emotional, mental or physical distress as the result of the loss of an immediate family member as a direct result of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires; and who are suffering financial distress and hardship since the loss of that immediate family member.
Assistance provided under this package will require a financial needs assessment to determine eligibility. An initial gift of $25,000 is available.
For those in exceptional financial need, a further gift of up to $50,000 will be available, provided the eligibility criteria are fully met and you are able to provide all the required supporting documentation.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for the Compassionate Financial Support Gift if you:
- have lost the household's primary income earner or an individual upon whom you were financially dependent; or
- are now facing ongoing distress and financial hardship due to the loss of your spouse or domestic partner; or
- are unable to support yourself financially due to the severe mental, physical and/or emotional trauma you are still suffering as a direct result of the loss of an immediate family member.
This gift can only be claimed by an eligible adult next of kin, who has lost an immediate family member. Only one application per family of the deceased person/s will be considered. The same definition of next of kin will apply as per the Compassion and Bereavement Payment and as follows:
- spouse or domestic partner
- parent
- sibling
- grandparent
- adult child over 26 years - you are not eligible for this gift if you are a bereaved child and have received support through the Bereaved Children Payment.
The criteria that the Fund is required to consider in determining your eligibility will include whether you:
- were demonstrably financially dependent upon the deceased person; and/or
- are financially responsible for other dependents of the deceased person; and/or
- have a reduced capacity to earn an income as a direct result of the bereavement.
Note: An immediate family member is defined as an individual who is a:
- natural, adoptive or step parent or legal guardian of the person; or
- natural, adoptive or step child of the person; or
- grandparent of the person; or
- sibling of the person.
To determine your eligibility for the Compassionate Financial Support Further Gift due to exceptional financial need, the Fund will also consider:
- the level of your financial needs no longer being met following your bereavement and causing your distress and hardship;
- your ability to meet your own financial needs;
- if your personal distress is impacting on your ability to continue to work;
- if you have access to other forms of financial support (including insurance, other support payments from the Fund or other charities, support from governments, support from the superannuation of the deceased, investments etc);
- a statement of your personal financial assets and liabilities
- a statement of current and previous income
What about other family members?
This gift can only be claimed by an eligible adult next of kin, with only one application per family of a deceased person/s. Payments may be split between family members if required or requested. The maximum payment that will be available to any individual under this gift is $75,000.
What information do I need to provide?
If you have not had a previous claim with the Fund, you will be required to provide the following evidence:
- proof of identity;
- proof of primary address
- proof of your relationship with the deceased family member/s;
- any supporting information regarding the financial hardship you are currently suffering as a result of your bereavement;
- confirmation that the loss of the immediate family member was as a direct result of the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
If you have previously claimed from the Fund, your identity will have been confirmed in the earlier application and you will only be required to provide the following information:
- proof of your relationship with the deceased family member/s;
- any supporting documentation regarding the financial hardship you are currently suffering;
- confirmation that the loss of the immediate family member/s was as a direct result of the 2009 Victorian bushfires;
- a completed application form.
Who can witness a statutory declaration?
People authorised to witness statutory declarations include lawyers, police, pharmacists, school principals, ministers of religion, bank managers, doctors, vets and Housing Services Officers.
What assistance is available?
Assistance provided under this gift requires a financial needs assessment to determine eligibility. An initial payment of $25,000 is available to those who are suffering financial distress and hardship.
For those who can demonstrate exceptional financial need, a further gift of up to $50,000 may be available, provided the eligibility criteria are fully met and you are able to provide all the required supporting documentation.
How do I claim?
Applicants must complete and submit the Compassionate Financial Support Gift application form (PDF, 171kb) first. This will be processed and you will be advised on your eligibility to proceed. That advice will include the second Compassionate Financial Support Further Gift application form if you are eligible to proceed with that step.
The application forms detail the specific information required as this is a financial needs based process. Please ensure that you follow the instructions and provide the relevant information.
The application for the second further gift will also be made available on this site as soon as it has been completed.
Further enquiries can be made by by email: vicbushfireappealfund@dhs.vic.gov.au.
How long do I have to claim?
Applications for this Gift have now closed.
Is there a restriction on how the gift can be spent?
No. The payment will be paid into the nominated bank account. The payment can be split between family members if you request.
Who will administer the Compassionate Financial Support Gift?
The Compassionate Financial Support Gift will be administered by the Department of Human Services.
Further information
For further information or advice on this gift, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213, or via e-mail on vicbushfireappealfund@dhs.vic.gov.au.