EXPLAINED: How to claim $1000 flood disaster payment

South East Queenslanders impacted by catastrophic flooding are now eligible for government financial assistance. Here’s how to claim yours.

South East Queenslanders impacted by catastrophic flooding are now eligible for government financial assistance, with payments of at least $1000 per person available.

More than $3m in emergency flood disaster cash claims have been lodged amid the ongoing catastrophe.

Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds confirmed about 80,000 claims had been lodged, mainly for the disaster recovery payments of $1000 per person and $400 per child.

About 95 per cent of the claims have been submitted via myGov.

The claims are understood to total about $3m.

Here is all the information you need to know for the types of payments you could get, and what the eligibility criteria are.

The easiest way to apply for the payments is via myGov. If people need assistance they can call 1802266.

Disaster Recovery 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”.

A flooded home in Maryborough along the overflowing Mary river. Picture: Aaron SKUSE / QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE / AFP

Examples of major damage include, the entire house is destroyed, declared structurally unsound, there has been major damage to the interior, or sewage has entered the home.

People who are part of a couple can both claim the payment, but will need to make separate applications.

LGAs so far activated for this payment: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Gympie, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern DownsSunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

An ongoing payment lasting up to 13 weeks for people whose incomes have been affected as a direct result of the flooding.

Applies to employees, small business persons and farmers and to be eligible people must have been working in the affected area.

People who are receiving another form of income support, like the age pension, JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, are not eligible.

A couple inspects the floods in Forsythe street. Picture: Tertius Pickard

LGAs so far activated for this payment: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Gympie, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern DownsSunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.

Personal Hardship Assistance

A lump-sum payment of $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more.

This payment is not means tested and people are eligible if they live or are stranded in areas where the payment is activated, if they have suffered hardship as a result of the event, or if they can’t meet immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.

Areas so far activated for this payment: Gympie, Dillarnil in the North Burnett LGA, Brisbane, Logan and Noosa

Disaster Recovery Funding Assistance (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.

LGAs so far activated for this payment: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Gympie, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern DownsSunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.

Originally published as EXPLAINED: How to claim $1000 flood disaster payment