More SEQ flood victims now eligible for financial help

More flood and storm-affected families and individuals in Logan, parts of the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim can now apply for financial assistance under two schemes after the eligible area was extended on Saturday.

Adults in the affected areas can receive $1000 and children $400 under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, while the Disaster Recovery Allowance provides “up to 13 weeks of income support to assist eligible employees and sole traders who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster”.

The new areas eligible for disaster assistance payments:

• City of Gold Coast: Bonogin, Clagiraba, Lower Beechmont, Mount Nathan, Pimpama, Springbrook and Worongary.
• City of Logan: Woodhill.
• Scenic Rim Region: Beechmont and Gleneagle.

Applications to Services Australia can be made from January 15 by calling 180 22 66.

Queensland residents can also apply for help through qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

The extended area was announced by Acting Minister for Government Services Julie Collins and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt on Saturday.

“I encourage those in the impacted areas to check their eligibility for disaster assistance available through the Services Australia website and make a claim through myGov,” Collins said.

“If you can’t get online or you need help with a claim, you can call Services Australia on 180 22 66 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.”

Services Australia’s mobile service centre, Golden Wattle, is currently located in south-east Queensland to help with financial assistance.

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt has extended the area where residents are eligible for financial help.Credit: Twitter

Golden Wattle has social workers and staff on board to offer support and referrals to local services, as well as advice on how to claim disaster payments, Collins said.

Watt said all federal government MPs understood many residents were going through tough times, but he said the new funding added to the range of hardship grants offered to residents badly affected by flooding and storms.

“We were able to activate hardship payments with the Queensland government very quickly after the storms, with nearly $20 million of state and federal payments delivered already,” he said.

“We continue to work through impact assessments to make sure areas that suffered major damage are supported.

Cairns residents are evacuated after Cyclone Jasper ravaged parts of far north Queensland in December.

“We are working to make these assessments as rapidly as possible, and we remain open to extending support further if needed.”

More than 4500 claims have been granted and over $5.5 million paid out to eligible people.

Areas where financial assistance is already available

• City of Gold Coast: Arundel, Biggera Waters, Coombabah, Coomera, Gaven, Guanaba, Helensvale, Hollywell, Labrador, Maudsland, Mudgeeraba, Nerang, Oxenford, Pacific Pines, Paradise Point, Runaway Bay, Tallai, Upper Coomera and Wongawallan.
• City of Logan: Cedar Creek, Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, Flagstone, Jimboomba and Mundoolun.
• Scenic Rim Region: Tamborine and Tamborine Mountain.

Residents wanting help to apply for flood and storm assistance grants can see the Golden Wattle team at the Vonda Youngman Community Centre car park, 2-4 Knoll Road, Tamborine, on January 15 and 16.

For more information, go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/findusdisaster.

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