Financial support
There are financial grants available for victims of some serious crimes. A serious crime means one of sexual violation or other serious assault, one that has resulted in serious injury, death or a person being incapable; or one that has led the victim to have ongoing fears on reasonable grounds for their safety or the safety of one or more of their immediate family.
These grants can help cover some of the costs of dealing with the impacts of the crime. There are criteria for each grant. Contact Victim Support on 0800 VICTIM (842 846) to find out more, and what information you will need to provide to apply.
For people who have been affected by homicide
- Up to $5,000 assistance to reduce the impact on immediate family. This is up to $1,500 if the homicide was before 1 November 2009. Help covers loss of income and general costs.
- Up to 30 sessions of specialist counselling for families, friends, witnesses and those first on the scene of a homicide.
- $124 a day or $62 a half day per person for up to five adult family members attending High Court for hearings after 1 January 2010.
- Up to $3,000 per person to help with costs for up to five adult family members for travelling to court (can include travel, accommodation, childcare meals and parking) for hearings from 1 November 2009. This is up to $1,000 for hearings before 1 November 2009.
- Up to $1,500 per person to help with costs for up to five adult family members for travelling to a parole hearing or videoconference from 1 November 2009. This is up to $500 for hearings before 1 November 2009.
- Up to $10,000 funeral grant to help with funeral costs. Contact ACC to apply for this grant.
For victims of sexual violence
- $250 contribution to immediate costs such as repairs, clothing replacement or home security once the crime has been reported to police. This is for incidents that happened after 1 January 2010.
- Victims of sexual violence may also apply for the grants available for victims of serious crime (listed below).
For victims of serious crime
- Up to $3,000 per person to help with costs for travelling to court (can include travel, accommodation, childcare, meals and parking) for the victim and a support person for hearings from 1 November 2009. This is up to $1,000 for hearings before 1 November 2009.
- Up to $1,500 per person to help with costs for travelling to a parole hearing or videoconference for the victim and a support person for hearings from 1 November 2009. This is up to $500 for hearings before 1 November 2009.
- Up to $2,000 last resort emergency funding to assist healing and safety including counselling and relocation costs for people who qualify for a community services card.
You may also be eligible for other assistance from ACC. Call the ACC Claims Helpline on 0800 101 996, or if you are a victim of sexual violence, the Sensitive Claims Helpline on 0800 735 566.
