Crisis Payment

What is Crisis Payment?

Crisis Payment is a one-off payment provided to people who are in severe financial hardship and are receiving an income support payment. Crisis Payment is paid through Centrelink. Visit the Centrelink website or call 13 10 21 for more information on Crisis Payment eligibility requirements or other services to assist you in extreme circumstances

A person may be eligible for Crisis Payment if they:

• are in severe financial hardship, and
• claiming in Australia, and
• receiving certain payments from Centrelink, and
• have left home and cannot return because of an extreme circumstance, such as domestic violence, and have set up or intend to set up a new home, or
• remain in their home after experiencing domestic violence and the family member responsible has left or been removed from the home, or
• have served at least 14 days in jail, have just been released and are in severe financial hardship, or
• have arrived in Australia for the first time on a qualifying humanitarian visa on or after 1 January 2008.

Related information

• Emergency Relief Program
• Commonwealth Financial Counselling
• Understanding Money