Escaping Violence Payment

The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) trial is no longer accepting new applications.

From 1 July 2025, the new Leaving Violence Program will support people experiencing intimate partner violence with financial assistance and support services.

If you need support, you can apply to the Leaving Violence Program from 1 July 2025 via the link below or by calling 1800 2 LEAVE (1800 253 283).

If you applied to the EVP trial before 1 July 2025, you can contact the EVP team regarding your application by calling 1800 EVP EVP (1800 387 387).

Program Overview

The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) program is available anyone over 18 years old, who has recently experienced intimate partner violence, have a changed living situation and is experiencing financial stress .

An intimate partner is someone you have been in a romantic relationship with such as husband, wife, partner, boyfriend, or girlfriend.

This includes violent or threatening behaviour that is

 

  • Physically, verbally or sexually abusive

  • Emotionally, spiritually or psychologically abusive

  • Economically abusive

  • Threatening, coercive, or seeks to control or dominate the other person

How does it work?

 

If you have recently left or are planning to leave a violent intimate partner and you are struggling with finances to live your life in safety, you could be eligible for up to $5,000 financial assistance:

  • Up to $1500 in cash (or cash equivalent based on your needs and preferences)

  • Up to $3500 in goods and services such as removalists, bonds or basics for a new home

  • Time-limited support including case work and assistance to connect you with support services and pathways

The payment will be customised for you, based on your personal needs.

You do not need to be connected to Uniting Communities to access the payment but if you are already working with a family violence support service, talk to them about what to do next.

For more detailed program information, please click here.

Who can access the service?

 

The payment is available if you are:

  • an Australian citizen, permanent resident or holder of a protected special category visa living in Australia

  • 18 years or over

  • experiencing financial stress and have not accessed EVP in the last 12 months

  • planning to change or have changed your living arrangements within the last 12 weeks due to intimate partner violence.

All of the requirements here must be met in order to be eligible.

You must also be:

Experiencing Family and Domestic Violence

  • Intimate partner violence where the relationship has ended

  • You are a victim survivor and have experienced violence
    within the last 12 weeks

Experiencing changes to living arrangements due to intimate partner violence

  • You have left the home due to safety reasons OR

  • You are remaining in the home where the perpetrator is no longer
    living in the home OR

  • You have a have a safe plan in place to move soon (including from a refuge or other temporary accommodation).

Experiencing financial Stress

  • Currently experiencing financial stress 

  • Unable to meet financial commitments 

  • Unable to maintain financial independence 

Transitioning to the Leaving Violence Payment

The Escaping Violence Payment trial will end on 30 June 2025. It will be replaced by a permanent program called the Leaving Violence Program, starting 1 July 2025.

For more information on the Leaving Violence Program here.

If you applied to the EVP trial before 1 July 2025, you can contact the EVP team regarding your application by calling 1800 EVP EVP (1800 387 387) or find out more about EVP here.  We will continue to support you, and you do not need to apply to the Leaving Violence Program.

Contact Information
Escaping Violence Payment