Relief and recovery support
Financial Support
Prolonged power outage payment
If your household or small business has experienced a power outage for at least 7 days, you may be eligible for a Prolonged Power Outage Payment. Eligible customers will be notified by their power distribution business.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Lump sum payments are available for people in Pomonal who were seriously affected by the bushfires starting 13 February 2024.
For more information and to check your eligibility, visit the Services Australia website.
Emergency relief payments
Applications for emergency relief payments have now closed.
Emergency relief payments are designed to provide immediate financial help for relief needs for eligible Victorians experiencing extreme financial hardship due to the February 2024 bushfires and storms.
Victorians impacted by the February 2024 bushfires and storm events can continue to access recovery supports, including emergency re-establishment assistance payments (where eligible) through the Emergency Recovery hotline (1800 560 760).
Emergency re-establiishment assistance
Emergency re-establishment assistance is available for eligible community members impacted by the 13 February fires in Victoria.
Who can get the payment
You might be able to get this payment, if you:
- do not have much money to fix your home damaged by a major emergency
- do not have building or contents insurance
- cannot return home because it is damaged or destroyed
- cannot get to your home for more than 7 days because of a major emergency.
Payment amount
The amount of money you get depends on things like:
- the number of people who live in your home
- how much of your house is damaged
- how much money you earn.
You can use this money for:
- cleaning up your home or property
- staying somewhere else
- repairs to your home
- rebuilding your home
- replacing damaged contents.
How to apply
For information about how to apply for this payment, call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 (press 9 for an interpreter)
Someone from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing might also contact you about applying for a re-establishment assistance payment. They will be able to help you apply.
You will need to show some documents as part of your application. You will need to show proof of:
- identity, for example, a driver licence or passport
- income, for example, a payslip or Centrelink payment summary
- insurance status, for example, a document from your insurance company
- impact on your home, for example, photos of damages or quotes for repairs.
Resources
Translated resources:
- Arabic - PHAP general information (Word)
- Chinese Simplified - PHAP general information (Word)
- Chinese Traditional - PHAP general information (Word)
- Greek - PHAP general information (Word)
- Hindi - PHAP general information (Word)
- Italian - PHAP general information (Word)
- Punjabi - PHAP general information (Word)
- Vietnamese - PHAP general information (Word)
Get recovery support
After an emergency it can be difficult to know what to do next.
Depending on what you need, recovery support can help you:
- apply for payments and get financial help
- find services to support your recovery
- progress an insurance claim
- refer you to mental health or wellbeing services
- learn tips to help you or your family cope with stress
- get legal support
- get support for your business.
Find out more at vic.gov.au/recovery-support. If you have urgent recovery needs, like finding somewhere to stay if you can’t stay in your home, call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
What to do after a fire
Before you go home
Check with your local emergency services that it is safe to return to your property after a bushfire.
Remember to take bottled water, some food, sunscreen, protective clothing and a hat.
Returning to your property may be stressful and exhausting. It is important that you look after yourself.
When you get home
Wear protective clothing before entering your property and check for hazards - there may be fallen or sharp objects, smouldering coals, damaged electrical wires, leaking gas and weakened walls at your property.
Tank water may be contaminated from ash, debris or fire retardant. If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not use it.
Read more information about cleaning up a smoke-affected home and returning home safely after a fire.
Last update: 11:52 Tuesday, 2 March 2024