SYDNEY, Australia—Women escaping violent relationships will be eligible for one-off federal welfare payments of up to $5,000. The assistance, which is available from Tuesday, will come in the form of $1,500 cash and the remainder in goods and services or direct payments of bonds, school fees, or other support to help establish a safe home. The UnitingCare Australia consortium has been selected as the service provider for the two-year Escaping Violence Payment trial. It will also assist women to engage with other relevant agencies that support them and their children, including Commonwealth or state and territory government-funded community services. Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston says the money will help address the financial barriers that may stop women leaving violent relationships. “We know that financial hardship as well as economic abuse, which may involve interfering with work or controlling or withholding money, reduces women’s ability to acquire and use money and it makes it …