Emergency services volunteers suffering hardship need to follow these steps to apply for hardship assistance offered under the WA Emergency Services Volunteers’ Hardship Assistance Scheme.
The Scheme may also offer a grant to a volunteer, rather than wait for an application to be received, who has sustained significant damage or loss of their principal place of residence following an emergency event or natural disaster.
If the Assessment Panel approves the application, it may do so on the basis that the amount of financial hardship requested by the volunteer be paid in full or in part.
Where possible/practical, payment is made directly to a service provider (on behalf of the volunteer); otherwise payment is made directly to a volunteer’s bank account. The panel will also consider applications for hardship assistance in circumstances where accounts have been paid and applicants are seeking reimbursement.
As a condition of receiving assistance, the panel may attach certain requirements on the volunteer (e.g. to seek financial counselling; where 50/50 cost support may be provided or to develop a recovery plan) which must be met, and demonstrated to be met.