Financial Hardship & In Need of Permanent Accommodation Gift

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has announced a gift for people who lost their principle place of residence in the 2009 Victorian bushfires, are not yet in permanent accommodation and are experiencing financial hardship.

What assistance is available?

Assistance provided under this package will require a financial needs assessment to determine eligibility. A payment of $10,000 is available for those with a significant level of need or $25,000 for those with an exceptional level of need.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for this gift you must meet all of the following three criteria:

1. You received the Rehousing and Recovery Destroyed Homes gift (including people who were eligible under the Sole Residential Asset or Other Dwellings criteria). If you are unsure if you received this gift please contact the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213;
2. You are not yet in permanent accommodation; and
3. You are experiencing financial hardship (this will be determined by looking at your overall financial situation including your household income, your assets and liabilities, how many dependents you have, and your age).

You are not eligible for this gift if:

• You have been issued your occupancy permit for your rebuilt property before 13 October 2010 (this will be issued by your building surveyor; contact them if you are unsure if you have been issued your occupancy permit).
• You have a contract for purchase of an existing principle place of residence before 13 October 2010.

Please note that if your situation changes in relation to either of these points from 13 October 2010, you may become eligible for this gift (assuming you meet the other eligibility criteria).

The application form for this gift will be used to determine whether you meet these criteria.

What does 'in need of permanent accommodation' mean?

You are in need of permanent accommodation if, as a direct result of the 2009 Victorian bushfires, you are currently:

• renting; or
• living in a temporary village for fire affected communities; or
• living in other temporary accommodation (you will need to describe your particular situation in your application);

and:

• have not been issued your occupancy permit for your rebuilt property by 13 October 2010 (contact your building surveyor if you are unsure);

and:

• do not have a signed contract for purchase of an existing principle place of residence by 13 October 2010.

What information do I need to provide?

If you have previously made a claim from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, your identity will have been confirmed in the earlier application and you will only be required to provide the following information:

• any supporting documentation regarding the financial hardship you are currently suffering;
• proof of your current place of residence (e.g. Drivers Licence); and
• a completed application form, including signing the statutory declaration.

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.

How long do I have to claim?

You have until 15 April 2011 to lodge a claim for this gift.

Applications for this Gift have now closed. For 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.