Emergency Services Volunteers do an amazing job protecting our homes, our communities and our lives. We are proud to support those that support our communities.
The Emergency Services Volunteers Hardship Assistance Scheme provides volunteers with the opportunity to seek financial assistance during times of hardship.
Hardship is when a volunteer is unable to meet minimum living expenses because of unexpected or unforeseen events, such as:
• loss of work or a reduction in hours
• illness or death of a family member
• relationship breakdown
• accidental injury or illness
• an emergency event or natural disaster
What is available?
• full claim where the volunteer can apply for up to $6000
• emergency claim where the volunteer can apply for up to $2000
• a Special Emergency Grant may be offered to a volunteer who has lost or had significant damage to their primary place of residence Up to $6,000 of hardship assistance can be provided to assist an eligible applicant to meet the following expenses:
• outstanding utility accounts and charges
• general household expenses (including emergency primary needs)
• expenses for funeral of a family member
• unexpected accounts due to accident or injury to self or family member
• self-employment expenses
• support for dependent family members
• last resort welfare mechanisms for self or family member
• medical expenses
• municipal rates
• mortgage or lease expenses
