Assistance during an initial stand-down and/or benefit application process

A client or partner may be able to receive a Special Needs Grant during the application process for a benefit and/or during their initial stand-down if they meet all the qualifications.

This type of Special Needs Grant can be paid from the date of first contact up until either:

• the date of decline of the benefit or
• the date of grant of the benefit or
• the commencement date of the benefit or
• the date the application for benefit lapses

whichever is the later.

Special Needs Grants for this purpose are recoverable.

Only when a client or partner has received their maximum entitlement to recoverable assistance during the initial stand-down can you consider providing other assistance, either recoverable or non-recoverable (eg food grants). To get other emergency grants they or a member of their immediate family must be:

• experiencing an emergency situation or
• in extreme hardship

A client or partner is still required to meet all the qualifications for any other Special Needs Grant assistance they apply for, including non-recoverable assistance.

The exception to the restriction, are grants relating to re-establishment situations (eg Steps to Freedom).

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, initial stand-downs were temporarily removed for all clients applying for a main benefit when:

• their entitlement date and benefit grant date were on or after 23 March 2020 and
• their application date and entitlement date were not later than 24 July 2021