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Financial assistance for individuals

There are many financial matters to consider after a fire. The list below shows the range of grants available from Victorian and Commonwealth Governments and from the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal Fund.  All information is contained on this page.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

This payment has closed. Further information is available on the Disaster Assist website (external link).

Compassion and Bereavement Payment

A Compassion and Bereavement Payment is available to assist families of individuals who have died in the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

The purpose of the Compassion and Bereavement Payment is to provide immediate support to those families who lost loved ones in the 2009 Victorian bushfires. The payment provides assistance to families to help meet any immediate needs, including funeral and travel related costs. Applications for this payment should be submitted by 31 December 09.

Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

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Counselling Voucher Program

The Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program has been developed through a $3.5 million gift from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. It aims to assist people directly affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires to access additional psychological counselling support.

Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

Destroyed Homes Payment

This payment is to assist owners of residential properties which were under construction and destroyed in the 2009 Victorian Bushfires. The residence under construction must have been intended to be your principal place of residence. Applications for this payment should be submitted by 30 December 09.

Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

Emergency grant - for immediate and urgent need

This grant has now closed.

Exceptional Hardship Support Payment

This payment has closed. Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

Funeral / Memorial Assistance

This payment has closed. Further information available on the Centrelink bushfire website (external link).

Home Dislocation Payment

A one off payment is available to people whose principal place of residence is unfit to live in or inaccessible for more than 1 week as a result of the 2009 Victoria Bushfire. Applications for this payment should be submitted by 31 December 09.

Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

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Household Repairs Payment

This payment has closed. Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

Income Recovery Subsidy

Financial assistance is available to employees, small business owners and farmers who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the Victorian Bushfires. This payment is available until 10 November 2009.

Further information available on the Centrelink bushfire website (external link).

Rebuilding and Recovery Payments
  • Destroyed Homes payment - to assist the owner/occupier whose residence has been destroyed as a result of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.
    Damaged Homes Payment - to assist with the repair of bushfire damage to homes, outbuildings or other structures to your principal place of residence.
  • Tenant Contents Payment - to assist tenants whose primary place of residence was destroyed as a result of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

Applications for this payment should be submitted by 31 December 09. Further information is available from the above links or by calling 1800 180 213

Severe Injury Payment

A grant of up to $7,500 is available to people who were injured by the bushfire and stayed overnight in hospital and have had or will require additional surgery or hospital treatment. Applications for this payment should be submitted by 31 December 09.

Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

Temporary living and re-establishment grants

Fact Sheet: Re-establishment and Temporary Living Grant

Applications for these grants are being accepted until 31 December 09.

Free public transport will be provided to individuals and families who have lost their homes and have received this grant. Call Metlink on 131 638 for further details or see the Metlink website (external link).

Please contact your Community Service Hub for further information on accessing grants.

Tools of Trade Payment 

This payment has closed. Further information available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213

 

 

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