Severe financial hardship

For the purposes of Crisis Payment, you’re in severe financial hardship if you meet one of these criteria.

If your liquid assets total either:

  • less than 2 weeks of the maximum rate of your income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, if you’re single
  • less than 4 weeks of the maximum rate of your income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, if you’re partnered.

Where applicable, the maximum rate of your income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance includes the:

  • Energy Supplement
  • Pension Supplement
  • Pharmaceutical Allowance
  • Rent Assistance.

Liquid assets include:

  • cash you have on hand
  • money you have in the bank
  • shares
  • bonds
  • gifts
  • other money you can access.
Page last updated: 10 December 2021.
QC 52742

Try our new dark mode

We're testing a darker colour scheme. Try it and let us know what you think.