The Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) is replacing the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT). The new scheme will open on 18 November 2024.
Until the new scheme opens, you can continue to make applications for financial assistance and queries through VOCAT.
When FAS opens, VOCAT will stop accepting new applications. VOCAT will continue to process existing (pending) applications.
Move your application from VOCAT to FAS
Once the FAS has opened, to move your application from VOCAT to the new scheme, you will need to cancel your existing application and reapply to the FAS.
You can withdraw your existing application if VOCAT has not made a final decision.
You cannot apply to the FAS if VOCAT has finished assessing your application and decided on the final amount to award you, or if VOCAT has refused your application.
You cannot reapply to the FAS in some circumstances where VOCAT has provided you with interim funds.
If you reapply through FAS, your application must meet FAS time limits.
If you have received interim funds
If you have received an interim decision from VOCAT and want to withdraw your application from VOCAT and reapply to the FAS, you must withdraw your application before the FAS opens.
If you withdraw your application from VOCAT after FAS opens, you cannot apply to the FAS and VOCAT may not finalise your application.
Your VOCAT application
If you need to change (vary) your VOCAT application, you can continue to apply through VOCAT until the new scheme opens.
Once FAS opens, you can no longer apply to VOCAT for a variation. You must apply to the FAS.
VOCAT will process any existing (pending) variation applications before VOCAT closes.
Apply for a minor variation
You can make as many minor variations to your VOCAT application as you need.
A minor variation is a change that is consistent with what the original award intended. This includes seeking more of the same type of treatment, such as additional counselling sessions.
To apply for a minor variation, you will need to provide new evidence. You will need to show:
- that your circumstances have changed
- that you request further assistance
- that further assistance will assist in your recovery, and
- that the further assistance will continue to help you recover from the violent act.
Apply for a substantive variation
You can only make one substantive variation to your VOCAT application. A substantial variation is when you need to request a new type of assistance. This includes:
- a completely new type of assistance (for example, requesting financial help for safety-related expenses when your existing application only covered medical expenses)
- changing the type of assistance (for example, requesting medical expenses for electroconvulsive therapy instead of cognitive therapy)
- further assistance where there is no link between the assistance already paid, and new assistance.
Time limits for variations
If you were 18 years or older when you applied to VOCAT, you have 6 years from when you received your final VOCAT award to apply for a variation.
If you were under 18 years old when you applied to VOCAT, you have until you are 24 years old to apply for a variation.
Payments from VOCAT
If VOCAT has decided your application an decided to pay for your expenses, you will still receive payment for these expenses. These are known as authorised future expenses.
Until the new scheme opens, you can continue to request payment through VOCAT for authorised future expenses.
Once the FAS has opened, you will need to request payment from the FAS for authorised future expenses that VOCAT has awarded.
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