Sunshine Coast residents heavily impacted by the flooding disaster can now apply for a federal government Disaster Recovery Payment of up to $1,000.
Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien said the federal government funding will help support the thousands of affected locals as they begin to recover from the disaster.
“A once off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is now available through the Disaster Recovery Payment to support those in need,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This is on top of the disaster assistance funding which the federal government has activated to co-fund with other tiers of government the massive clean-up effort which is now required.”
“It’s going to be a long road to recovery for many parts of the Sunshine Coast which have been battered by this once in a generation flood, but rest assured the federal government will provide the support we need to get to the other side.”
The Disaster Recovery Allowance will also be provided to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster. DRA is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks and is set at the maximum equivalent rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your personal circumstances, and is taxable.
Affected Sunshine residents can claim the Disaster Recovery Payment from today, with claims for Disaster Recovery Allowance available from tomorrow, Tuesday 1 March 2022.
Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.
The easiest and quickest way to claim the Disaster Recovery Payment or the Disaster Recovery Allowance is online through myGov. If people require support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66,
To provide further support the Australian Government is also pausing Centrelink debt raising and new debt recovery in the affected locations.
Online claiming via MyGov is available 24×7. The Australian Government Emergency Information Line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time. For more information on support available, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster
