More than half of those applying for domestic violence payment are rejected, data shows

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More than half of people trying to access emergency financial support for domestic and family violence are having their claims rejected, new data has revealed.

Between July and September last year 57,041 applications were made for the escaping violence payment (EVP) but only 29,437 were found eligible, according to data released in response to a question on notice during Senate estimates.

Under the EVP program, survivors can access up to $1,500 in cash and up to $3,500 in goods and services, such as removalists, to help them leave a violent partner.

Approximately 89% of clients identified as female and 9% identified as male, with 54% of applicants having one or more children under 18.

Two women have already died from violence this year, while the publicly known total deaths was 63 in 2023, according to Counting Dead Women Australia, an advocacy group that tracks violent deaths.

Advocates, who say the EVP payment is not getting to the right people when they need it, have called on the government to broaden the eligibility criteria. But the government says those who cannot access it are always referred on to other programs.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services said in a statement that Uniting, the provider that runs the payment for the government, does not keep data on why applications were not processed.

“However, the service provider has advised that the most common reasons are because the eligibility criteria were not met, the service provider was unable to recontact the applicant or the applicant otherwise determined not to proceed with the application,” the department spokesperson said.

A review of the program in May last year found there were difficulties in establishing eligibility for the payment because people did not have the right supporting documentation, such as a police or doctor’s report. Some clients struggled to demonstrate financial hardship because they did not have a bank account in their name, were not able to access bank statements or struggled to prove they wanted to move.

The National Council of Single Mothers and their Children chief executive, Terese Edwards, said the eligibility criteria were “limiting”.

“It could be tweaked really quickly, but it’s not,” Edwards said.

The payment cannot be accessed by people experiencing other forms of family violence, such as elder abuse, visa holders and people who have left a violent relationship more than 12 weeks ago.

Last year’s review suggested “extending eligibility criteria to reflect equity for temporary visa holders and experience of other types of violence”.

Edwards said the payment, which was set up in 2021, was “highly supported” by the sector, but the criteria could be expanded to include more people.

“Our culture around people who take out or seek social security is usually one of distrust and stigma,” she said.

The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said the government was monitoring the payment.

“Our government has already reduced the time it takes victim-survivors to access financial and other support by 22 days, because it was taking victim-survivors too long to access this support,” she said.

“It’s important to note that applications from clients seeking to access the EVP may not progress to payment for a range of reasons including that people withdraw their application because they no longer require this support or do not meet the eligibility criteria.”

She said people who were deemed ineligible were referred to other support services and programs.

The acting chief executive of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, Dr Jane Lloyd, said social security played a “pivotal” role in helping people escape domestic and family violence.

“Research shows there are many economic difficulties that arise from violence – including victim-survivors losing property and assets upon separation – which increase women’s economic hardship in the long term,” Lloyd said.

“In times of great vulnerability, tapping into social security is pivotal for those affected by domestic and family violence, providing a vital lifeline for them to regain stability and move forward.”