The Crisis Payment is a one-off payment for people who have experienced extreme circumstances. You must claim within seven days of arriving in Australia or contact Centrelink with an ‘Intent to Claim’ within seven days of arrival and lodge a claim within 14 days of that contact.
For more information go to the Crisis Payment fact sheet at www.humanservices.gov.au/ crisispayment
Centrelink offers many services, including:
Centrelink service
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Telephone
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Help available
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Self Service
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136 240
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See Chapter 1, Self Service
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Online Services Support
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132 307
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Get help with Centrelink's online services
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Centrelink International Services
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131 673
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Enquiries about moving or travelling outside Australia, claiming payments while outside Australia, or receiving payments from overseas
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Financial Information Service (FIS) booking service
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132 300
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Book a Financial Information Service seminar
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Complaints and feedback
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1800 132 468
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To provide compliments, complaints and suggestions
| Concessions for low income earners
Depending on income, employment, age or Centrelink payment type, people with a low income can be entitled to concessions from federal, state/territory and local governments as well as private businesses. The concessions may cover health, household expenses, education and transport. For more information go to www.humanservices.gov.au and search for “low income”.
Change of circumstances
If there are changes to your family, work or lifestyle situation you must inform Centrelink as soon as possible to ensure you receive the correct payment. If you are paid more than you are eligible for, you may have to pay back some or all of your payment.
Some changes you need to tell Centrelink about are:
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personal and contact details
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bank details
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relationship status
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care arrangements for anyone in your care, including your children
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work status
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leaving the country, temporarily or permanently
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getting a lump sum payment
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income or assets increase or decrease, including your partner's income and assets
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starting or finishing studying.
Definition of a partner
It is important to tell Centrelink whether you are a single person or you have a partner. This is sometimes called being a ‘member of a couple’. Most payments will take into account the combined income and assets of both members of a couple. Some payments have different rates, depending on whether you are single or have a partner. Some payments are only available to people who do not have a partner.
Reviews and appeals
If you are not happy with a decision, contact Centrelink to have it reviewed at www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/reviews-and-appeals There are processes for dealing with reviews and appeals.
Privacy of your information
Your personal information can only be released by Centrelink if it is permitted by law, or if you have given permission.
Young people
If you have children older than 16 years, they may be eligible for payments such as Youth Allowance or Family Tax Benefit. See also Services for Young People.
Assurance of Support
An Assurance of Support (see www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/34aos) is a legally binding agreement between an Australian resident or organisation (the ‘assurer’) and the Australian Government. The assurer agrees to provide support to the migrant (the ‘assuree’) in Australia so that the assuree does not need to rely on government payments.
An Assurance of Support can last for two or 10 years, depending on the type of visa granted. If you or your dependants claim certain welfare payments while covered by an Assurance of Support agreement, the assurer must repay the full amount to the Government.
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