Practical support for families facing financial hardship across Australia
Two complementary programs provide fair, fast help: grocery support through the Food Security Program, and essential items or vouchers through the Emergency Essentials Program—prioritising families with children and people in crisis.
Support this program
Help provide grocery cards and essentials to families in hardship.
Eligibility verified
Simple checks
Fair distribution
3‑month gap
Default method
Gift cards
Food Security Program
Eligibility
- • Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card
- • Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Card
- • Recent bank statement showing inability to afford essentials
- • Centrelink income statement
- • Evidence of dependent children: Health Care Card listing dependents or birth certificates
Additional criteria: Must not have received support in the last 3 months.
Priority for: Single parents; families with children under 12; applicants in crisis (sudden job loss, homelessness, domestic violence, medical emergencies).
Rates
Child (0–12)
$50
Youth & Adult (13+)
$100
Household examples
Family of 2 adults + 2 children = $300 support
Single parent with 3 kids = $250 support
These amounts are modest but fair—about one week of groceries for an average family. Comparable charities provide ~$30–$70 per adult per week; your rates are reasonable and not excessive.
Quick estimator
Estimate recommended support using program rates.
Payout options
- • Gift cards (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi) — default option
- • Bank transfer — where stability and financial management is demonstrated
- • Cash — only for immediate needs (e.g., stranded without food, rural areas without gift card coverage)
Restrictions
If there is evidence of drug or alcohol misuse, payout must be gift cards only, using “non‑cash redeemable” types (restricted to groceries).
Emergency Essentials Program
Eligibility
- • Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card
- • DVA Card
- • Recent bank statement (last 30 days) showing hardship
- • Centrelink Income Statement
- • Other evidence (e.g., eviction notice, overdue utility bill)
For school essentials: Provide proof of dependents (Health Care Card listing dependents or birth certificates).
Fair distribution: Must not have received Emergency Essentials support in the past 3 months.
Rates / Support Provided
Hygiene products
$50
Per household (care packs or gift cards)
School essentials
$100
Per school‑aged child, once per year (Jan–Mar)
Fuel vouchers
$50–$100
Per household
Examples
Family with 2 school children + fuel needs = $250 support
Single parent with baby (nappies, hygiene, fuel) = $150 support
Payout options
- • Gift cards (supermarkets, pharmacies, fuel stations, Officeworks, Kmart/Big W for school items)
- • Direct provision (care packs or donated goods like nappies, hygiene kits, stationery)
- • Bank transfer (only if items cannot be sourced locally)
- • Cash — urgent situations only, subject to assessment
Restrictions
If there is a risk of drug/alcohol misuse, payout is restricted to gift cards or direct provision only.
Helpful notes
Fairness
3‑month cooldown between supports to reach more households.
Documentation
Simple, common proofs (cards, statements, bills) accepted.
Safety first
Use non‑cash gift cards when there’s risk of misuse.
Your support feeds families
Donate to provide grocery cards, hygiene packs, and school essentials.