Queensland Premier Steven Miles, Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt and ADF personnel help with the cleanup from the SE QLD storms. Photo: ADF.
The Federal Government has further expanded the assistance it is offering to residents of South East Queensland affected by severe storms in the region since Christmas.
Effective 8 January, applications for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) are open to residents in 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 on the Gold Coast.
In the City of Logan, residents of Cedar Creek, Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, Flagstone, Jimboomba and Mundoolun can apply for assistance, while those in Tamborine and Tamborine Mountain in the Scenic Rim area may also be eligible.
The AGDRP is a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child if they have suffered a significant loss as a result of the disaster, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.
The AGDRP is in addition to joint Federal-State financial hardship assistance that has already been made available to those who need to replace food, clothing, medicines or reconnect utilities but have not suffered major damage to their home.
The DRA is an allowance that provides up to 13 weeks of federal income support to assist eligible employees or sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.
Those affected can check their eligibility and how to claim on the Services Australia Natural disaster support website, and the quickest way to claim is online through myGov. Assistance on how to claim is also available through the Australian Government Emergency information line on 180 22 66.
Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten said Services Australia stands ready to assist impacted communities in South East Queensland.
“I encourage those in the impacted areas to check their eligibility for disaster assistance available through the Services Australia website,” he said.
“Thank you also to those working around the clock supporting Aussies impacted since Cyclone Jasper, including the 1000 Services Australia staff working the phones and 2000 staff processing claims.”
Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt added, “Immediately after the disaster, we worked with the Queensland Government to activate hardship payments for those impacted.
“Now, the Government is moving quickly to increase the assistance on offer to those who have suffered significant damage to their home or have taken a hit at work,” he said.
“We understand that often insurance claims can take some time to process, so these payments will help to get Queenslanders back on their feet faster.
“Other assistance is already available through the State and Commonwealth Governments to help with recovery costs, including $5000 grants for electricity and sewerage reconnection, up to $50,000 for uninsured homeowners to rebuild or repair damaged homes, and concessional small business loans of up to $250,000.”
