Your support is invaluable as it is through your help that BMRSG can support those seeking asylum and refugees living in detention and the community. People seeking asylum often need support to survive in Australia while their claims for protection are being processed. These highly vulnerable and traumatised people were often unable or not allowed to work and are not entitled to the social security payments available to others.
In recent years, they have been supported through the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) program. The program provides a basic living allowance (typically 89% of Newstart allowance– or $35/day), casework support and access to torture and trauma counselling.
The Australian Government has now started cutting this program, essentially leaving a highly vulnerable group of people with absolutely no support whatsoever. Up to 13,000 people could be affected by these cuts.
Donated funds are used for, but not limited to:
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- Housing
- Food – after rent etc, many have little left to buy food
- Buying goods – e.g. pillows, rice cookers
- Electricity costs – the electricity bills, particularly in winter, can come as a shock.
- Transport costs – Most are not eligible for transport concession
- Telephone cards – at times they just run out of money but need to call home
