The easiest way to get a disaster relief payment is to log into your myGov account. Here’s what you need to know• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDisaster recovery grants for communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales have been announced by state and federal governments.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Monday that workers losing income in the aftermath will be eligible for up to 13 weeks of income support through the disaster recovery allowance. Continue reading…The easiest way to get a disaster relief payment is to log into your myGov account. Here’s what you need to know• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDisaster recovery grants for communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales have been announced by state and federal governments.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Monday that workers losing income in the aftermath will be eligible for up to 13 weeks of income support through the disaster recovery allowance. Continue reading…
Disaster recovery grants for communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales have been announced by state and federal governments.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Monday that workers losing income in the aftermath will be eligible for up to 13 weeks of income support through the disaster recovery allowance.
Can I get disaster relief payments after Cyclone Alfred?
To be eligible for the disaster recovery allowance you must be:
-
Sixteen years or older.
-
A worker or sole trader who has suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the event.
-
Able to prove your income has fallen below the average Australian weekly income as a result of the floods.
-
Living in one of the 31 declared affected areas in south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
You can check your eligibility here.
How much is the disaster relief payment?
Money will be paid fortnightly at either the jobseeker or youth allowance rates, depending on your personal circumstances.
The maximum amount available, equal to the maximum jobseeker payment, is $1,007 a fortnight.
How do I apply for the disaster relief payment?
The easiest way to apply is online, through your myGov account.
If you need further assistance with your claim, call the Australian government emergency information line on 180 22 66.
Am I eligible for the Queensland government grants?
There are multiple personal hardship financial assistance grants available for impacted communities in Queensland. Each has specific eligibility requirements, however, for all of them you must be:
-
In one of the impacted areas listed here.
-
Aged 18 years or older – if you are under the age of 18, you can contact the community recovery hotline on 1800 173 349 to get advice on how to lodge an application.
To check which grants you may be eligible for in Queensland, fill out the online form available here.
What are the Queensland government grants I could be eligible for?
Emergency hardship assistance: For help with essential needs, food, medication, clothing and temporary accommodation. This grant may be available if you:
-
Live in or are stranded in the affected area.
-
Have experienced personal hardship and can’t meet your immediate essential needs.
The grant amount is $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more.
More information on this grant can be found here.
Essential services hardship assistance (only active after five days without services): For help with essential services such as power, gas, water and sewage. This grant may be available if you:
-
Live in the affected area.
-
Have lost one or more essential services for more than five days and are experiencing personal hardship as a result.
-
Have your utility service provider/s confirm that you lost these essential services.
The grant amount is $150 for individuals and up to $750 for families of five or more.
More information on this grant can be found here.
Essential household contents grant: To replace essential lost household contents such as bed linen and white goods. This grant may be 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.
Your home will be visited to assess the damage and photographic evidence is required if items must be disposed of.
The grant amount is $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families.
More information on this grant can be found here.
Essential services safety and reconnection scheme (ESSRS): To help with safety inspections and repairs to reconnect essential services such as gas, water, electricity and sewage. A grant payment may be available if you:
-
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.
Grant amount:
-
Inspection costs – $200 for safety inspection for water, electricity, gas and sewage.
-
$4,200 for repairs or replacement of these services.
More information on this grant can be found here.
Structural assistance grant: To help with structural repairs or contribution towards replacement of dwelling. This grant may be available if:
-
You live in the 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.
Grant amount: Uninsured, low-income owner-occupiers may receive up to a maximum of $80,000 to help repair your home to make it safe, secure and habitable.
More information on this grant can be found here.
Am I eligible for the NSW government grants?
The NSW government has established financial support for individuals in nNorthern NSW in the impacted local government areas, which you can find listed here.
You must:
-
Have been subject to an evacuation order, with a category “red” emergency warning.
Or
-
Have experienced a power outage of more than 48 hours.
How much is the NSW government payment?
A payment of $180 for individuals and up to $900 per family will be available from Service NSW for essential costs such as food, clothing, medicine and emergency accommodation.
How do I apply for the NSW government payment?
You will need:
-
A MyServiceNSW account with your details up to date.
-
Proof of identity, such as a document that shows your full name and date of birth. You may also need details from two identity documents (such as Australian driver licence, Medicare card or passport).
-
Your bank account details to receive the payment.
Applications will open on 12 March 2025 and close on 8 April 2025.
Service NSW says more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply will be made available soon. You can find out more on the website here.