Emergency Management
Department of Human Services and Emergency Recovery
Department of Human Services has been designated as the principal recovery planning and management agency under the State Emergency Recovery Plan.
In the event of an emergency, The Department of Human Services is responsible for ensuring that appropriate provision is made for personal support, advice and information services, temporary accommodation, material aid, financial assistance for displaced persons and the re-establishment of dwellings and community redevelopment.
The Department of Human Services ensures that these functions are undertaken and that recovery is progressing effectively through its liaison and co-ordination role with Municipalities and other agencies such as the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Victorian Council of Churches, Centrelink, Insurance Council of Australia and others.
In specific terms, the role of the Department of Human Services at the Regional level is to work with Municipalities and Non Government organisations to ensure that emergency management planning provides for
- Co-ordination of financial assistance;
- Co-ordinating the supply of temporary accommodation;
- Support the process of community re-development;
- Provision of advice, information and assistance to affected communities and municipalities;
- Support for the role of Community Recovery Committees;
- Provision of overall operational co-ordination of the recovery process at the affected area at regional level;
- Support for municipalities in co-ordinating the provision of personal support services and material aid;
- Co-ordination (if necessary) of the supply functions for recovery at affected area level;
- Convening the Regional Recovery Planning Committee and act as Regional Level Co-ordinator in the absence of the committee.
- In addition, the Department of Human Services administers the Personal Hardship Grants Program on behalf of State Government.
PERSONAL HARDSHIP GRANTS
There are three types of personal hardship grants that the Department of Human Services administers, based on need, to people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by an emergency incident. The grants are:
Emergency Grant
Available after any eligible natural emergency (bushfire, flood, storm or earthquake). This grant is a one-off payment per household to ensure that basic necessities are met. There is no income or asset test applicable to this grant. The Grants are also available for Single House Fires. This grant is only available for a period up to seven days following the emergency incident.
Temporary Living Expenses Grant
This grant is only available following approval from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services or the Premier following a bushfire, flood, storm or earthquake. This grant provides weekly payments for not more than 26 weeks to assist with additional expenses incurred while in temporary accommodation. This grant is income tested, with a maximum limit.
Re-establishment Grant
This grant is only available following approval from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services or the Premier following a bushfire, flood, storm or earthquake. This grant provides for a payment to repair or replace essential household items and a second payment to repair a principle place of residence. This grant is income tested, with a maximum limit.
For further informatrion on Departmental Emergency Management