When considering a FAS variation application, the FAS will look at:
- the evidence provided with the initial application
- the reasons the FAS decided to pay assistance
- any new evidence that has become available since assistance was paid or last varied
- any change in the victim’s circumstances that has occurred since assistance was paid or last varied
- any other payments the applicant received for the same injury
- whether the applicant satisfies the requirements for that type of assistance (which could include whether the assistance is reasonable)
- how the further assistance will continue to assist with the victim’s recovery from the violent act, and
- anything else the FAS considers relevant.
Applicants must provide evidence of the details listed below with their variation application so that the FAS can decide their application. If there is not enough information for the FAS to decide, the FAS will request further information from the applicant. This is likely to delay the FAS deciding and paying financial assistance.
Although an applicant can apply for new types of assistance (such as special financial assistance) as part of a variation application, the applicant must still show that there was fresh evidence or a change of circumstances since their last payment. The FAS does not consider a change in law to be a change of circumstances for variation applications.
Updated