Roof Over My Head - restore income support

About 800 people have lost SRSS nationally so far and we expect another 800 to lose support between now and Christmas.

At this stage, only single males and females have been cut off from support, with families delayed until 2019.

From August last year Minister Dutton started restricting access to the status resolution support services (SRSS) program for people seeking asylum.

SRSS provides less than $35 dollars a day for rent, food and medicine and access to case management and medical care such as torture and trauma counselling.

Around 13,000 people seeking asylum receive SRSS while waiting in a drastically delayed asylum application legal process – part of ‘Operation Soverign Borders’ designed to ‘deter’ boat arrivals.

Many have been waiting for permanent protection for years, have not had consistent work or study rights to enable them to train and find work, therefore cannot support themselves or rebuild their lives.

No new people seeking asylum in need can access SRSS.

From 27 June the Minister began mass cuts to remove SRSS, sending 1500 men and women letters notifying them of when they will lose all support.

Single men and women, families caring for children and elderly and students  will not be able to pay rent or buy food and medicine, they all face immediate homelessness and extreme poverty.

People like Malaakooti, who care for children and need support to get on their feet.

We know when people are supported, they study, train and find employment to support themselves and their families, and contribute positively to Australia.

Community groups and organisations around the country are coming together with the #RoofOverMyHead campaign to restore support services to all people seeking asylum.