Mumbai Crisis - November 2008

The Australian Government is providing support to Australians adversely affected by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and support from Centrelink Family Support Team social workers.

The AGDRP provides a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child to assist people who have suffered serious injury or psychological trauma as a direct result of the terrorist attacks that began on 26 November 2008 in the south Mumbai area. 

Assistance

The AGDRP is available to people who have suffered serious injury or psychological trauma as a direct result of the terrorist attacks that began on 26 November 2008 in the south Mumbai area.  An individual is considered to have suffered psychological trauma if the individual was:

  1. caught up in the violence or witnessed the violence of the disaster, or
  2. held in hostage or witnessed hostage situations arising from the disaster, or
  3. a witness to a person seriously injured in the disaster, or
  4. a witness to the remains, body or bodies of a person or persons killed as a direct result of the disaster, or
  5. the immediate family member of a deceased Australian killed in the disaster.

Claims for this assistance can be lodged at Centrelink until 27 May 2009.

Centrelink’s Family Support Team of social workers is available to assist people on their return from Mumbai.  Support includes counselling, personal support, referral and practical assistance to affected individuals and families.  

Funeral Assistance

Funeral/memorial and related costs assistance is available to the immediate family member of an Australian who has died as a result of the 26 November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.  This assistance will cover a funeral or memorial and related costs up to $5,000 to the person who has paid or will pay for the funeral/memorial and related costs (where, at the time the claim is made, the costs are not being met by a third party such as an insurance company).

Claims can be made through the Centrelink Family Liaison Officer social work team by contacting the Australian Government Mumbai Crisis Assistance Hotline on 1800 146 713.

Assistance for medical treatment and counselling

Financial assistance is available for eligible Australians affected by the Mumbai terrorist attacks for out-of-pocket health expenses.  For further information on eligibility and the type of assistance available, please call the Medicare Australia Special Assistance Line on 1800 660 026 (Monday to Friday between 7.30 am and 5.00 pm Australian Western Standard Time).

Out-of-pocket expenses can include those expenses for health care services and goods to treat conditions arising directly from the Mumbai terrorist attacks, which are not covered by Medicare or other government programs (including those provided by States and Territories) or private travel or health insurance. Examples can include but are not limited to: hospital costs, pharmaceuticals, dressings, lotions and ointments, and therapy consultations. 

Media Release

Help for victims of the Mumbai attacks – Joint Media Release between the Prime Minister and the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

More information, assistance or claim forms

For more information on this assistance, please visit the Centrelink website.

People in Australia should contact the Australian Government Mumbai Crisis Assistance Hotline on 1800 146 713. 

International callers should contact the Australian Government Mumbai Crisis Assistance Hotline by dialling 000 6117, this will put you through to an operator where you will need to quote 02 9203 6335.

Travel advice and consular information is available at www.smarttraveller.gov.au