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Emergency Benefit : Contents

Client in hardship

You can consider that a client is in hardship if the client has:

  • no other means of supporting themselves and any dependent family

and

  • cash assets of or less than:
    • $4,300 if the client is single or
    • $7,464 if the client is married, in a civil union or de facto relationship, or is a sole parent

See:

Cash assets

Payment must be justified

Emergency Benefit is a discretionary benefit. There may be situations where a client meets the hardship criteria but their overall circumstances do not justify payment. Also consider:

  • to what degree the client has contributed to their hardship

and

  • the impact on the client (and any dependent family) if Emergency Benefit is not granted

If you are doubt, before making a decision contact Helpline to discuss.

Discretion to disregard assets

In exceptional circumstances you can disregard some of the client's cash assets, see:

Deprivation

You also need to look at whether the client has recently given away or sold any assets that contributed to them in hardship. When this has happened, consider if the client has deprived them of an asset or income. Any situations where you think a client or partner (if any) has deprived themselves (and any dependent family) of income or an asset, contact Helpline to discuss.

For more information see:

Cash assets

Legislation

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