Single Mum denied victims of crime after arson

Just over a year ago I was a victim of an arson attack on my home, the attack was aimed at my ex partner who was no longer living with me. At the time of the attack our son was only 10 weeks old, although we were not home at the time we still lost everything we had, it was devastating. A few weeks prior to the attack I had attended the salvos office in Geelong for assistance in regards to housing as it was no longer safe to reside at the property, the salvos told me to stay at the property because my name was on the lease, change the locks and to kick my ex partner out. I did what they told me to do however my house was still targeted on several occasions in the week leading up to the fire including, smashed windows and constant drive bys. I then went to stay at a friend's house after being at my friend's house for not even 24 hours i recieved a phone call from a detective informing me that my house and everything in it had gone up in flames overnight.

I contacted the salvos after the fire to see what assistance I could get with accommodation as I was couch surfing with a 10 week old baby, no car and no possessions. The salvos put me in a hotel for 5 days or so whilst staying at the hotel it took me two days and over 20 phone calls to get a hold of someone at the salvo office even after leaving several distressed messages to try and figure out where I was going next. Once I finally got a hold of someone they informed me that they had no more funding available to me and that I had to figure out something myself. The relief manager of the hotel at the time knew my situation and helped me secure a tiny cabin at a caravan park. I then spent a short time here, eventually I managed to secure a property outside of geelong where I then had to scrape up just over $2000 in 5 days to pay for the bond and months rent up front, this was partially donated by close friends and family and the rest was made up of what money I had, I tried to access my super under special circumstances to pay the $2000 however was informed that this didnt fall into the 'special circumstances' category so therefor was ineligible. My entire house was furnished by kind hearted people after making a Facebook post, however the larger electrical items are now on there way out. While all this was happening I was liasing with a lawyer from Your Lawyer in regards to a victims of crime application. The application process was lengthy and took over 12 months however on Tuesday I received an email stating that I was deemed ineligible for an award of assistance because I wasn't home at the time of the fire. Essentially they're saying that because I wasn't home and wasn't physically injured that it didn't affect me. A few months after the fire I was admitted to an acute psych unit at Werribee hospital with severe depression and ptsd. I stayed at the hospital for approximately 3 and a half weeks, all this was documented and forwarded alongside my application however the tribunal still doesn't see me as a victim. I was left homeless with a 10 week old baby, I had lost possessions and photos of my parents who have both passed, I no longer have any photos of my mother who I lost when I was only 14 and only 2 of my father. I wasn't asking for millions of dollars I was simply asking for the cost of the accommodation at the caravan park and the $2000 rental expenses.

I was planning on using the money to purchase a car as I currently spend 4 hours a day, 3-4 days a week on public transport to get to and from my job just so that we can get by, I now have to spend more time at work and even less time with my son to try and save enough for a car. I didn't think that I was asking for alot but apparently I was asking to for to much.

Any donations are greatly appreciated and will go towards a car and newer furniture. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for you generosity ❤️