3.12.6 Claim and Payment of a Crisis Payment

Last updated 5 March 2013

Claim for a crisis payment

A claim for a crisis payment must be:

• on an approved form:

• D0567 – Application for crisis payment – prison/hospital release, or
• D0568 – Application for crisis payment – extreme circumstances and domestic or family violence,

• made in Australia,
• made by the person or their authorised representative, and
• within seven days of the extreme circumstance occurring or from the date of prison release.

Informal claim for a crisis payment

An informal claim for crisis payment can be lodged by a person who is in Australia and eligible for a crisis payment on the day of claim or informal claim. An informal claim must be followed by a proper claim within fourteen days.

Rate of crisis payment

The rate of crisis payment is a flat rate of one week's pension based upon the maximum basic rate of pension, pension supplement and energy supplement. Therefore, the amount of a crisis payment is half the fortnightly service pension rate. For income support supplement recipients, their payment is not based upon the ceiling rate but rather upon the relevant rate of service pension, according to whether they are partnered or single.

Methods of payment

Payment of the crisis payment should be paid into a financial institution but the payment can be paid in another manner (e.g. by cheque) where this is directed by a delegate of the Commission authorising the payment.