Special Assistance
Special Assistance is a financial lump sum amount that can be awarded for ‘pain and suffering’. The following are entitled to apply for Special Assistance:
- A primary victim who sustains an extremely serious and permanent injury may receive an award for special assistance of a flat payment of $30,000.
- A primary victim of a sexual offence may be awarded special assistance in an amount determined by the Court up to a maximum of $50,000.
- People who are related victims in a homicide matter may be awarded special assistance from a pool of $30,000.
What is an extremely serious injury?
An extremely serious injury is defined as an injury consisting of the loss or impairment of a bodily function, disfigurement or a mental or emotional disturbance or disorder, where the injury:
- is permanent; and
- is extremely serious and will always be extremely serious; and
- causes a great and permanent reduction in the victim’s quality of life.
An application for special assistance for an extremely serious permanent psychological injury must be supported by a psychologist’s report outlining the details of the injury.
Special assistance for victims of sexual offences consists of an amount for ‘pain and suffering’ that is a financial lump sum award. An application for special assistance must be supported by a report from a psychologist outlining the impact the crime has had on the victim.
