When you leave prison, you may need help managing your money and accessing services. We can support you with payments, updating your details and connecting you to services that can help.
Nominee arrangements
While you were in prison, you may have asked someone to act on your behalf. We call this a nominee arrangement. Now that you’re leaving, you can choose to continue or stop this arrangement.
If you Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in to cancel a nominee arrangement.
Our online guide can help you cancel an existing nominee arrangement using your online account.
You can also cancel a nominee arrangement by:
- calling us on your regular payment line
- visiting a service centre.
When you cancel your arrangement, we’ll send a letter to you and the person who was acting for you.
When you cancel a payment nominee arrangement, check that your bank account is open and your bank details are correct so you can get your payment.
Crisis Payment
You may be able to get Crisis Payment for Release from Prison or Psychiatric Confinement.
You can call us up to 21 days prior to your release date for a pre-release interview, using the dedicated phone line in your prison. If you’ve left prison without a pre-release interview, you must claim a crisis payment within 7 days of your release.
Before claiming, check that your bank account is open so you can get payments.
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can claim online.
If you can’t claim online, call us on your regular payment line or visit your nearest service centre.
Get your supporting documents
When you claim a payment from us, you’ll need to give us supporting documents. Documents you may need to give us include:
- your prison release paper
- proof of identity
- your bank account details.
Use our Payment and Service Finder for other payments and services you may be eligible for.
We can also help you:
Child Support assessment
You must tell us when you leave prison if you have a child support assessment. We may be able to help if you have a debt or your ongoing payments are incorrect.
It’s important to keep us up to date with your address and contact information.
Other support
You can get help from a range of other services when you leave prison.
Get housing support
If you’re experiencing homelessness, there’s help available.
You can find housing, food and other support in your area on the AskIzzy website.
Access social work services
We have social workers who can help if you need to talk to someone for support.
They can help you with:
- short term counselling
- information and referrals to other support services
- access to mental health support services.
To talk to a social worker, call Centrelink and ask to speak with one.
Access mental health support
If you’re in crisis and need support, Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To talk to someone, you can call any of the following hotlines:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.