TILA
Did you know that you are eligible for a one-off allowance to help you set yourself up?
Transition to independent living allowance (TILA)
What is TILA?
TILA is a one-off allowance of up to $1500 to help you set yourself up independently.
TILA is available to assist with some of the needs that a young person leaving care may face in establishing an independent life.
What does TILA provide?
TILA is not a direct payment, so you don’t get the cash in your hand. It is a one-off support (up to $1500) which can be spent in a number of ways to best meet your needs. For example, contributing to the costs of establishing your household, or starting school or a job. It may also include life skills courses help you with the skills to live independently.
Who can be considered for TILA support?
TILA is available for young people who:
• are permanent Australian residents
• are between the ages of 15 and 25
• are approaching or experiencing their transition to independent living
• are at risk of an unsuccessful transition
• have been in, or are currently in, formal care and/or
• have been in, or are currently in, informal care.
What is Formal care?
To be considered to have been in, or to be currently in, formal care a young person must:
• be the subject of a care and protection order that places them in the care and custody of someone who isn’t their parent, or have been the subject of a care and protection order that placed them in the care and custody of someone who wasn’t their parent and their order has ceased/expired because of their age.
What is Informal care?
To be considered to have been in, or to be currently in, informal care a young person must:
• have ‘Independent Status’ for Centrelink payments
• currently be in, or formerly have been in, informal out-of-home care, and/or
• currently be in, or formerly have been in, Indigenous kinship care.
How to apply?
Your social worker will need to complete a Referral assessment in consultation with you. If you are no longer in care and no longer have access to a social worker, you can contact your previous support agency, previous workers or the agency that supported your placement in the past. They will assist you in applying for and accessing TILA funds.
To find out if you are eligible, go to:
http://www.tila.org.au/program.html