Crisis and other help

We can help if you’re in severe financial hardship, recovering from a disaster, or need special assistance.

Our payments that may help you

We have payments to help in crisis situations.

The type of payment you may get depends on your situation.

Additional Child Care Subsidy Temporary Financial Hardship gives extra help with the cost of approved child care. It’s short-term help if you’re in financial hardship due to events outside your control. This includes when a major disaster event has adversely affected your family.

Crisis Payment is a one-off payment if you’re in financial hardship, have experienced an extreme circumstance and get a qualifying payment.

Carer Adjustment Payment is a one-off payment if your child under 7 gets a severe illness or major disability. The illness or disability must be because of a catastrophic event.

You may get an early release of your super in limited circumstances. Find out how to apply on compassionate grounds through the Australian Taxation Office website. If you’re in severe financial hardship, apply to your super fund.

If you already get an income support payment, you may be able to get an advance lump sum payment.

Special Benefit may be able to help support you or your dependents. This is only if you can’t get any other income support payment and meet the eligibility rules.

Our services that may help you

We have a range of services for when you need help.

Our social workers provide short term counselling, support and can refer you to other services. You can contact a social worker by calling your regular payment line and asking to speak to a social worker.

Our Community Engagement Officers help you access payments and services if you find it hard to access them.

You can use Centrepay to pay bills and expenses as regular deductions from your Centrelink payments. This may make it easier for you to manage your budget.

The Financial Information Service (FIS) provides free, independent and confidential education to help you make informed decisions about your financial needs. The service is available even if you don’t get a payment from us. You can contact the FIS by calling your regular payment line and asking to speak to a FIS officer.

We have information to help you manage your money. Find out about budgets, how to deal with debt, understanding loans and credit, what to consider when renting or buying goods and how to build savings.

You can access weekly payments if you need help managing your money.

Other support services that may help you

There are other organisations that offer support services and useful information too. Find out more on the following websites:

  • Ask Izzy to find local community support, including counselling, help with housing and everyday needs like food, clothing and transport.
  • Lifeline to access online, phone and face to face crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Good Shepherd for family and financial support, including no interest loans for essential goods and services.
  • National Debt Helpline for free, confidential and independent financial counselling.
  • Mob Strong Debt Help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. They can provide information and support about most money questions.
  • Rural Financial Counselling Service for farmers and rural small businesses to access a financial counsellor.

You can use Service Finder to find help in your local area. This can include counselling, mental health services and help with essential items.

How Moneysmart may help you

Moneysmart has tips and tools to help you make the most of your money. They can direct you to charities and community organisations that may help with:

  • one off food, transport, or chemist vouchers
  • rent or accommodation
  • part payment of electricity, gas, or water bills
  • food parcels or clothing
  • budgeting or referrals to other programs.

Find out more about urgent money help on the Moneysmart website.

If you need to contact us

If you get a payment from us and you’re in severe financial hardship, call your regular payment line.

If you don’t get a payment from us and are in severe financial hardship, call the Centrelink employment services line.

If you’re waiting for a Centrelink claim outcome

If you’ve already submitted a claim and you haven’t heard from us yet, there are some things you can do while you wait for a Centrelink claim outcome.

Page last updated: 27 September 2024.
QC 22036