🌪️ Emergency & Disaster Relief – Program Suite
Program 1: Emergency Relief Program
(for personal/family crises)
Purpose
Provide urgent, short-term support for individuals and families experiencing sudden hardship (e.g., job loss, domestic violence, homelessness, medical emergency).
Eligibility
- Same baseline criteria as Food/Emergency Essentials programs (Health Care Card, concession card, bank statement, Centrelink statement).
- Crisis must be demonstrated (police report, eviction notice, medical certificate, referral from social worker, etc.).
- One application every 3 months, unless a major crisis is proven.
Support Provided
- Immediate needs: food vouchers, hygiene kits, fuel vouchers
- One-off cash/transfer (up to $300 per household) for urgent expenses (e.g., medications, temporary accommodation, utilities)
- Referral pathway: connect to housing, domestic violence, or financial counselling services
Payout Options
- Gift cards (default)
- Bank transfer (if urgent bills need to be paid)
- Cash (emergency use only, caseworker approved)
Program 2: Disaster Relief Program
(for community-wide natural disasters)
Purpose
Provide targeted support to people affected by floods, bushfires, cyclones, storms, or pandemics.
Eligibility
- Must live in a declared disaster zone (verified via government announcements, council notifications, or local community groups).
- Proof of impact (e.g., damaged property photos, insurance claim, evacuation order, or referral by emergency services).
- Support can be accessed immediately after a disaster; waiting periods (3 months rule) don’t apply here.
Support Provided
- Emergency food & water packs
- Temporary accommodation vouchers (motel or shelter support, where funds allow)
- Clothing & bedding support (partner with retailers or donors)
- Emergency grants: $200–$500 per household depending on severity of loss
- Community recovery hampers: distributed via relief hubs, schools, or places of worship
Payout Options
- Mostly in-kind (supplies, hampers, accommodation bookings)
- Gift cards for groceries/fuel where infrastructure is intact
- Direct transfers only for urgent, verified needs