What government assistance is available after a disaster? (Vic)
Last Updated 13 March 2024
Last Updated 13 March 2024
This resource is designed to support people in Victoria who have been impacted by a disaster find legal information online and connect with appropriate services. It will help you identify if you are dealing with a legal problem related to government assistance after a disaster and understand how to make an application for legal help.
It provides:
links to legal information resources
information on how to make an application for legal help
If you are struggling with financial hardship, you can read our resource “I’m experiencing financial hardship after a disaster, what are my options? (Vic)” for more information.
The Commonwealth and Victorian Government occasionally provide one-off financial assistance to people impacted by disasters. You might be able to apply for an immediate income support payment even if you are not receiving a Centrelink benefit. The type of payment or assistance that you may be able to receive will depend on your circumstances.
The following resources provide information on the relevant schemes run by the Federal and State Governments for people in Victoria:
Emergency and Crises Assistance – Disaster Legal Help Victoria
Are you affected by the Victorian floods? – Social Security Rights Victoria (ssrv.org.au)
Personal Hardship Assistance Program | Disaster Legal Help Victoria
The Victorian State Government website also provides information about the range of support, including financial support, that they can provide to people affected by disasters, with various eligibility requirements. More information can be found here: Relief and Recovery – VicEmergency.
Disaster events can leave people without power for an extended period. There are guaranteed service levels that electricity distributors are required to provide certain customers. They are set out in the Electricity Distribution Code of Practice. If a distributor fails to meet the minimum service levels, they are required to make payments to customers.
The payments may vary depending on the circumstances.
In response to the February 2024 storm event in Victoria, Gippsland Community Legal Centre has developed a resource explaining how compensation payments work in the event of a power outage.
Read the resource for more information: Understanding-Compensation-Available-After-A-Power-Outage.pdf (gcls.org.au)
Disaster Legal Help Victoria (DLHV) is a joint initiative of the Federation of Community Legal Centres, Justice Connect, the Law Institute of Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and the Victorian Bar. DLHV brings together the skills and resources of the legal profession, including government and private legal entities, to help mitigate and respond to complex and widespread legal needs that arise in disasters.
For legal information and referrals, call Disaster Legal Help Victoria on 1800 113 432 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can also contact your closest community legal centre to get advice from a local lawyer.
Visit Disaster Legal Help Victoria’s website for more information on how they can help.
Justice Connect assists eligible individuals, small businesses, community organisations and farms and other primary producers who have been impacted by natural disasters.
You can apply online for free legal help: Apply for help – Justice Connect. This is the quickest and most efficient way to check if you’re eligible and start the process of being matched with a lawyer. Once we receive your application, a member of our team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
This resource was last updated on 13 March 2024. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. You can read our disclaimer in full here: Disclaimer and copyright for our Disaster Legal Support Resource Hub – Justice Connect.