Introduction
In March 2022 all the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (ACBF) and Youpla funeral companies went into liquidation. This means the companies and the funeral plans do not exist anymore.
The Youpla Support Program has been set up by the Government to support those who were affected.
The Youpla Support Program will run from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2026.
If you are eligible, you don’t have to apply or register, Services Australia will call you.
What companies collapsed?
The ACBF funeral companies that collapsed are:
- Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund No. 1
(Fund 1) - Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund No. 2
(Fund 2) - Aboriginal Community Funeral Plan
(The Plan)/Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund(ACBF)/Youpla.
This means they no longer exist. If you were a member of one of these funds, ask your bank to check that your payments to them have stopped.
Youpla Support Program
If you paid for a Youpla Funeral Fund, also known as an ACBF Funeral Fund or Plan, on or after 1 August 2015, and have not received money from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority
(AFCA), you may be eligible for a payment from the Youpla Support Program.
The Youpla Support Program will run for two years from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2026.
The payment will be an amount that is either 60% of all the payments you made or the benefit amount on the ACBF certificate, whichever is lower.
If the amount is more than $1,000 you can decide to put the money into a government approved funeral bond or paid into your bank account.
If you are eligible, you will receive an SMS and phone call from Services Australia. There is no application form. You should make sure your contact details are updated with Services Australia.
Your payment won’t count as income for your tax return and Centrelink assessment.
If the member of the fund has passed away, their beneficiary can receive the money. This is the person who would have received money from ACBF/Youpla to pay for sorry business.
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Beware of scams relating to the Youpla Support Program
If you think someone has called you pretending to be from the government or the program, hang up and call Services Australia on 1800 136 380. They can check to see if it was them who called.
Getting more information
For more information, see Youpla Support Program on the National Indigenous Australian Agency website.
You can also get free financial counselling from Mob Strong Debt Help by calling 1800 505 488.
If you need money for sorry business urgently, you can call Services Australia on 1800 136 380.
LawAccess NSW
LawAccess NSW is a free information service run by Legal Aid NSW. They have a culturally appropriate legal information and referral service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a legal problem in NSW.
To speak with LawAccess NSW you can start a web chat or call 1300 888 529 from 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Updated August 2024