Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
Financial Hardship and In Need of Permanent
Accommodation Gift
Fact sheet
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has announced a
gift for people who lost their principle place of residence
in the 2009 Victorian bushfires, are not yet in permanent
accommodation and are experiencing financial hardship.
What assistance is available?
Assistance provided under this package will require a
financial needs assessment to determine eligibility.
A payment of $10,000 is available for those with a
significant level of need or $25,000 for those with an
exceptional level of need.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for this gift you must meet all of the following
three criteria:
• You received the Rehousing and Recovery Destroyed
Homes gift (including people who were eligible under
the Sole Residential Asset or Other Dwellings criteria).
If you are unsure if you received this gift please contact
the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213;
• You are not yet in permanent accommodation; and
• You are experiencing financial hardship (this will
be determined by looking at your overall financial
situation including your household income, your
assets and liabilities, how many dependents you have,
and your age).
You are not eligible for this gift if:
• You have been issued your occupancy permit for
your rebuilt property before 13 October 2010 (this
will be issued by your building surveyor; contact
them if you are unsure if you have been issued your
occupancy permit).
• You have a signed contract for purchase of an existing
principle place of residence before 13 October 2010.
Please note that if your situation changes in relation to
either of these points from 13 October 2010, you may
become eligible for this gift (assuming you meet the
other eligibility criteria).
The application form for this gift will be used to determine
whether you meet the eligibility criteria.
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 50 Lonsdale Street Melbourne
What does ‘in need of permanent
accommodation’ mean?
You are in need of permanent accommodation if,
as a direct result of the 2009 Victorian bushfires,
you are currently:
• renting; or
• living in a temporary village for fire affected
communities; or
• living in other temporary accommodation
(you will need to describe your particular
situation in your application);
and
• have not been issued your occupancy permit
for your rebuilt property by 13 October 2010
(contact your building surveyor if you are unsure);
and
• do not have a signed contract for purchase of
an existing principle place of residence by
13 October 2010.
What information do I need to provide?
If you have previously made a claim from the Victorian
Bushfire Appeal Fund, your identity will have been
confirmed in the earlier application and you will only
be required to provide the following information:
• any supporting documentation regarding the
financial hardship you are currently suffering;
• proof of your current place of residence
(e.g. Drivers Licence); and
• a completed application form, including signing
the statutory declaration.
Who can witness a statutory declaration?
People authorised to witness statutory declarations include
lawyers, police, pharmacists, school principals, ministers
of religion, bank managers, doctors, vets, and Housing
Services Officers.
See page 2 for further information
How long do I have to claim?
You have until 15 April 2011 to lodge a claim for this gift.
Applications beyond this date may be considered under
exceptional circumstances.

For further information

For further information or advice on this gift, please contact
the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213 or via
e-mail on vicbushfireappealfund@dhs.vic.gov.au
The Application Forms for this gift, and advice on other
support available through the Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Fund, is available at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal