Explained: How to claim ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred disaster payments
Queenslanders impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred will be able to access a range of relief payments from as earlier as Tuesday afternoon. This is what you need to know.
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Queenslanders impacted by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred will be able to access a range of relief payments from as early as Tuesday afternoon.
State Government payments of $180 per person will be available for eligible individuals (or $900 for families of five) who have been impacted by the weather event, with federal government support – including a $1000 one-off payment – available for people who have lost income.
This is what you need to know.
Disaster Relief Payment
A lump-sum payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child, with people who have been “adversely impacted” by the flooding able to apply.
This includes anyone who has been seriously injured, if their immediate family member has been killed or missing due to the disaster, or if their main place of residence has been “destroyed or suffered massive damage”.
Local government areas so far activated for this payment: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, City of Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
Disaster Recovery Allowance
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday announced eligible workers and sole traders in impacted areas who have lost “some or all” their income will be able to access up to 13 weeks of income support through the disaster recovery allowance scheme.
The payments are aimed to assist employees, small business owners and farmers who saw a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster.
“My message to these communities in this difficult time is we’ve got your back and will support you through the recovery,” Mr Albanese said.
Available on Tuesday afternoon, those 16 years or older can apply and is a fortnightly payment paid at either the JobSeeker rate, or Youth Allowance rate, for up to 13 weeks from the date the recipient began losing income.
To access the funds, your income must have fallen below the average Australian weekly income as a direct result of the weather event.
The maximum amount available is $1007 per fortnight.
Workers in 31 affected areas in southeast Queensland and northern NSW will be eligible.
Applications open on Tuesday, March 11, at 2pm via the myGov website.
Queensland Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant
State government support is currently available for affected people in Logan, Gold Coast, Redlands, City of Moreton Bay and targeted areas of the Fraser Coast, with more council areas expected to receive funding.
Support includes a range of grants to assist with the purchase of emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household items, and income-tested assistance for property structural repairs and the reconnection of essential services.
Emergency Hardship Assistance
Up to $900 for families of five or more and $180 for individuals will be available under the Emergency Hardship Assistance grant, which will help with essential needs, food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation.
To be eligible to apply, affected residents must meet these requirements.
- you either live in or are stranded in an eligible area affected by a disaster event
- you have suffered hardship as a result of the event
- you are unable to meet your immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.
People who aren’t Australian citizens can also apply for this grant.
The grant cannot be accessed for business loss or damage, including compensation for loss of income, or for farm or property damage.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance
Eligible residents are able to claim $150 individually or up to $750 for families of five or more to help with essential services such as power, gas, water and sewage.
The grant is available if:
- you live in the affected area
- you have lost 1 or more essential services for more than 5 days and are experiencing personal hardship as a result
- your utility service provider/s confirm that you lost these essential services.
Essential Household Contents Grant
A payment of $1765 for individuals and up to $5300 for couples or families will be available to help replace essential lost household contents such as bed linen and white goods.
The grant is available if you:
- live in the affected area
- own the items that have been lost
- own or rent the affected residence
- are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
- meet the income limits.
A state government representative must visit the home to assess damage and photographic evidence of items needing to be disposed will also be needed to access the funds.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection
This scheme is to help with safety inspections and repairs to connect essential services such as gas, water, electricity and sewage.
Grant amount includes $200 for safety inspection for water, electricity, gas and sewage, and $4200 for repairs or replacement of these services.
Eligible residents must:
- live in the affected area
- have had your essential services disconnected
- own and live in the affected residence
- are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
- meet the income limits.
A state government representative will visit your home to assess the damage.
Structural Assistance Grant
Uninsured low-income owner-occupiers may receive up to $80,000 to help repair their home if damaged during the weather event.
Funds may be available if:
- you live in an affected area
- you own and live in the affected residence
- your home has become structurally unsafe to live in
- you are uninsured or unable to claim insurance
- you meet the income limits.
The home will be visited prior to assess the damage.
Community Relief Fund (For councils)
Jointly funded by the federal and state governments, DRFA arrangements help councils cover the cost of clean-up operations, as well as repairs to roads and other vital public infrastructure damaged by the floods.
The Community Relief Fund, jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments will provide councils up to $1 million to undertake essential immediate clean-up and restoration activities.
Community Hub Clean-up Payments
Brisbane City Council has offered $7500 community clean-up payments to help clubs impacted by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
The payment is available to help community clubs on council-leased sites cover the clean-up bill.
“Our community clubs can count on us to help with the clean-up costs so they can reopen for residents as soon as possible,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
“I know our community will come together to complete the clean-up efforts, and we’re going to help with the bill.”
To receive a Community Club Clean-Up Payment, not-for-profit clubs will need to complete a simple survey and provide photographic evidence of the damage.
Originally published as Explained: How to claim ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred disaster payments
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