Women who are leaving a violent relationship will now have access to a one-off payment of up to $5,000 to help them establish a life free of violence. Under the two-year Escaping Violence Payment trial funded by the Federal Government, women will receive financial assistance of up to $1,500 in cash with the remainder available for goods and services or direct payments of bonds, school fees or other support to help establish a safe home.
The Escaping Violence Payment is not considered taxable or reportable income and will not impact on any other social security payments a recipient may be receiving. Eligibility includes financial stress and evidence of domestic violence including, but not limited to, a referral from a family and domestic violence service provider with a risk assessment and safety plan, an AVO, court order or a police report.
The UnitingCare Australia Consortium has been selected as the service provider to deliver the payments and will also support women to engage with other relevant services that support women and their children. This includes other Commonwealth or state and territory government funded community services.
Applicants do not need to be a client of Uniting to access the payment – they can apply directly or be referred by a FV support service.
Women can apply for the payment through UnitingCare Network from 19 October 2021. More information will be available at Escaping Violence Payment.