30 April 2020
We understand that many people have been impacted by COVID-19, and that you may need some financial relief to meet your most urgent needs.
Here is some important information to read before you contact us.
What is emergency relief?
Who is this service for?
How do I apply?
I need help now
What is emergency relief?
Emergency relief is to help people meet their basic needs, like food, medicine or shelter.
Australian Red Cross has received Government funding specifically to support people who are on temporary visas with a small one-off emergency relief payment.
Emergency relief payments are not income support. They are limited and we know may not meet all needs that you have.
Who is this service for?
Given the large number of people impacted by COVID-19, the support can only be offered to people in Australia with urgent needs who:
- are not Australian citizens or permanent residents; and
- are not eligible for State or Territory funds for temporary visa holders (except those delivered by Red Cross); and
- have no income or savings and no access to other support.
How do I apply?
Before you start your application you will need:
Evidence of your visa status such as your passport number or immi card number.
Evidence of financial hardship:
- a bank statement that is no more than 2 weeks old that shows transactions for the past month
- if you have regular transfers to another bank account you will need to provide a bank statement for that account
- screenshots are acceptable only if they show your name, account number and one month of transactions.
If you do not provide this information your application will be delayed.
Red Cross will call you when we get your application to confirm your eligibility.