Payment of Steps to Freedom grants

A Steps to Freedom grant can be paid to help with the actual costs the client will have to re-establish themselves in the community.

The maximum amount of a Steps to Freedom grant is $350 (less any cash on release).

The Steps to Freedom grant can be paid:

• directly to the supplier
• to a Westpac Steps to Freedom card or
• by direct credit to the clients (or their agents) bank account

Note Steps to Freedom grants are non-recoverable.

You can make more than one payment of a Steps to Freedom grant for the same or similar purpose to a client provided the total amount paid does not exceed $350 (less any cash on release).

Steps to Freedom grants are not restricted to one grant for the same or similar purpose in any 52 week period.

The amount of the Steps to Freedom grant payable must be reduced by the total of the prisoner's available cash on release as recorded on the Steps to Freedom form. This includes any amount held in the prisoner's trust account, canteen account and earnings account.

For example if a prisoner is (or is about to be) released with $26.50 cash, this needs to be deducted from the amount of the grant that would otherwise be payable.

The maximum payment of a Steps to Freedom grant is $350, and reduced by any cash on release.

Example 1

A client has $26.50 on release and needs assistance for re-establishment costs of $250.

The total amount payable for the grant is $223.50 with the client contributing $26.50 toward the remaining costs.

This will leave $100 of the Steps to Freedom grant available for further re-establishment costs if required.

Example 2

A client has $30.50 on release and needs help to pay re-establishment costs of $150 to assist with clothing.

The amount payable for the grant is $119.50 with the client contributing $30.50 toward the remaining costs.

This will leave $200 of the Steps to Freedom grant available for further re-establishment costs if required.