Escaping Violence Payment

Paying the costs of moving to safety

Are you, or someone you know, trying to leave or have left intimate partner violence? The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) Program offers financial assistance to help you move forward and set up a home free of violence.

Program Overview

The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) program is available anyone over 18 years old, who has recently experienced intimate partner violence, have a changed living situation and is experiencing financial stress .

An intimate partner is someone you have been in a romantic relationship with such as husband, wife, partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend.

This includes violent or threatening behaviour that is

 

  • Physically, verbally or sexually abusive

  • Emotionally, spiritually or psychologically abusive

  • Economically abusive

  • Threatening, coercive, or seeks to control or dominate the other person

How does it work?

 

If you have recently left or are planning to leave a violent intimate partner and you are struggling with finances to live your life in safety, you could be eligible for up to $5,000 financial assistance:

  • Up to $1500 in cash (or cash equivalent based on your needs and preferences)

  • Up to $3500 in goods and services such as removalists, bonds or basics for a new home

  • Time-limited support including case work and assistance to connect you with support services and pathways

The payment will be customised for you, based on your personal needs.

You do not need to be connected to Uniting Communities to access the payment but if you are already working with a family violence support service, talk to them about what to do next.

For more detailed program information, please click here.

Who can access the service?

 

The payment is available if you are:

  • an Australian citizen, permanent resident or holder of a protected special category visa living in Australia

  • 18 years or over

  • experiencing financial stress and have not accessed EVP in the last 12 months

  • planning to change or have changed your living arrangements within the last 12 weeks due to intimate partner violence.

All of the requirements here must be met in order to be eligible.

You must also be:

Experiencing Family and Domestic Violence

  • Intimate partner violence where the relationship has ended

  • You are a victim survivor and have experienced violence
    within the last 12 weeks

Experiencing changes to living arrangements due to intimate partner violence

  • You have left the home due to safety reasons OR

  • You are remaining in the home where the perpetrator is no longer
    living in the home OR

  • You have a have a safe plan in place to move soon (including from a refuge or other temporary accommodation).

Experiencing financial Stress

  • Currently experiencing financial stress 

  • Unable to meet financial commitments 

  • Unable to maintain financial independence 

How do I access the payment?

You can apply directly yourself by clicking the link below. Or if you have a support worker, they can assist you with your application.

To talk to someone about the program, the status of your application or any other enquiries please call 1800 387 387 or visit the EVP website to submit an application if you have not already done so.

Please remember the EVP program is not a crisis service. If you are currently in danger or need emergency assistance, please call 000. If you are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing violence, and require support with safety planning or counselling, please call 1800 RESPECT.

Contact Information
Escaping Violence Payment