The FAS will pay assistance (like special financial assistance or distress payments) to the Senior Master of the Supreme Court, supported by the Funds in Court office, to be managed on behalf of a victim when:
- the FAS decides to pay assistance (like special financial assistance and distress payments) which are usually paid directly to the victim and not to a third-party service provider, and
- the victim is a child, or
- the victim is an adult who is living with a disability that affects their capacity to independently manage their financial affairs.
If assistance is paid to the Senior Master because the victim is under 18 years of age, the victim can apply for payment out of the funds when they turn 18. The funds will be paid out to the victim unless the Senior Master is concerned that they may not be able to independently manage the funds.
If assistance is paid to the Senior Master because the victim has an illness or disability that affects their capacity to independently manage their financial affairs, the funds will be managed by the Senior Master indefinitely. The Senior Master will only make an order for the funds to be paid out to the victim if they are satisfied that they can independently manage the funds.
If assistance is paid to the Senior Master, victims can contact Funds in Court to access the funds for any purpose that is beneficial for the victim.
More information can be found on the Funds in Court website.
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