Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
Joint media release
Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience
Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
Acting Minister for Government Services
Queenslanders in further communities hit hard by the current flooding can now apply for financial support from the Liberal and Nationals Government.
Disaster Recovery Allowance will be available to support people in the local government areas of Cherbourg, North Burnett and South Burnett. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment will also be available for impacted individuals in North Burnett. This builds on the Australian Government assistance already available in Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Gympie.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said a number of communities in Cherbourg, North Burnett and South Burnett areas had been seriously impacted by severe flooding and storm damage.
"By extending financial support to these three communities, the Liberal and Nationals Government is helping as many people get back on their feet as soon as possible," Minister McKenzie said.
"The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected because of this disastrous event. The Allowance is available for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.
"The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children. This payment is available to anyone in North Burnett who has suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home, serious injury or who have lost a family member. It continues to be available for impacted individuals in Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Gympie.
Acting Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston encouraged residents impacted by the current Queensland flooding to firstly check their eligibility for the Disaster Recovery Allowance and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment on the Services Australia website, before lodging a claim for assistance.
"The easiest and fastest way to claim the Disaster Recovery Payment is online through myGov," Minister Ruston said.
"If you're eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, you will need to claim this over the phone by calling the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
"Staff from Services Australia are available to take calls between 8am to 5pm local time, Monday to Friday.
"To provide further support, we are also pausing Centrelink debt raising and new debt recovery in the affected locations."
Check your eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster
