Emergency Payments
One of the objectives of the access card is to facilitate the rapid distribution of emergency funds to assist people in need, who have been affected by natural disasters or emergencies.
The emergency payment number will facilitate the transfer of funds electronically to the access card. The emergency payment number will operate in a similar way to a debit card, except that the account to be debited will be a Government account set up specifically to provide emergency payments to affected individuals.
By using the access card at an EFTPOS facility card holders are able to access emergency payments. The emergency payment number does not include, or link to, an individual’s personal banking details.
The emergency payment number is different from the access card number because it must conform to banking sector requirements. This number will change every time an access card is reissued.
The robust proof of identity process used during registration, combined with the information contained on the access card Register, will provide further efficiencies in providing support to people affected by emergencies or natural disasters. The access card will allow authorised staff to quickly assess a person’s eligibility for emergency payment assistance as the person can be easily identified by virtue of their photo and signature on the face of the card and because their specific address is known.
Notes
- Further information on Emergency Payments can be found in Part 4 Division 8 of the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007.
- Emergency Payments Fact Sheet
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