Financial assistance to assist recovery following disaster – what grants are available?

Australian Government:

Disaster recovery payment 

A one-off payment if you are significantly affected by the disaster.

How much:
$1,000.00 per adult
$400 for each child under 16 years of age

Eligibility criteria:

To get the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment you must:

• be an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
• be 16 years or older at the time of the floods or getting a social security payment
• have not already received an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment for the Far North Queensland Floods, February 2019.

You also need to have been adversely affected by the floods. For example:

• you have been seriously injured
• you are the immediate family member of an Australian citizen or resident who died
• flood water has covered the interior floor of your principal place of residence (does not apply to investment properties or holiday homes)
• your principal place of residence has been declared structurally unsound
• sewerage has contaminated the interior of your principal place of residence
• you are the principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.

How to apply:   You have until 3 August 2019 to apply

Ring Human Services – 180 22 66
Submit documents online: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/submit-your-centrelink-documents-online

Disaster recovery allowance

Assistance for people who can show loss of income as a direct result of the Far North Queensland Floods, February 2019. A taxable payment up to a maximum of 13 weeks. It’s payable from the date you lose income as a direct result of the Floods 

How much:        
Maximum payment rate is equal to the newstart or youth allowance based on your circumstances and will be affected by your income prior to and following the disaster.

Eligibility Criteria:

To get Disaster Recovery Allowance you must:

• be 16 years or older at the time of the floods and not a dependent child
• be an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
• get an income by working in an affected Local Government Area or live in an affected Local Government Area
• lose income as a direct result of the Floods
• show you will earn less than the relevant income threshold amount in the fortnight following the loss of income:
  • As at 20 September 2018, 22 years and over
    • Single, no children $1,046
    • Single, principal carer with dependent child/children $1,591.75
    • Single, with dependent child (but not the principal carer) $1,120.83
    • Member of a couple (each) $956.83

• As at 1 January 2019, 16-21 years
  • Single, under 18 years, no children, at home $576.17
  • Single, over 18 years and under 22 years, no children, at home $660.50
  • Single, under 22 years, no children, required to live away from home $919.50
  • Single, with children $1,155.00
  • Member of a couple, no children (away from home) $919.50
  • Member of a couple, with children $994.00 

Restrictions:

You must not get the following payments for the same period you’re claiming this payment:

• an income support payment or pension
• Parental Leave Pay
• Dad and Partner Pay
• ABSTUDY living allowance, or
• a Service Pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Couples can both receive this payment. You and your partner will need to complete separate claim forms.

How to apply:   You have until 3 August 2019 to apply

Ring Human Services – 180 22 66
Complete the Claim Form EM182: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019/02/em182-190205.pdf  

Ex-gratia disaster recovery payments and the recovery allowance is available to non-protected SCV (subclass 444) holders and non-residents under the Social Security Act 1991. Restrictions apply – contact Human Services on 180 22 66.

Queensland Government

Emergency hardship assistance

Financial assistance for immediate and urgent needs such as food, clothing and medication.

How much:       
$180.00 per person up to $900 for a family of 5 or more

Eligibility criteria:

• Live or are stranded in the targeted activation zone
• Have suffered hardship as a result of the event
• Are unable to meet your immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation

You can’t claim if you are already claiming:

• business loss or damage including compensation for loss of income
• farm or property damage (excluding principal place of residence)
• loss of tools of trade
• essential services outage (if less than 6 days)
• isolation within property.

How to apply:   Ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
Online via the Community Recovery Portal: https://www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au/#/

Essential household contents grant 

Financial assistance to owner-occupiers or tenants to provide a contribution towards replacing or repairing essential household contents such as beds, linen and whitegoods that have been lost or damaged if you are uninsured or are unable to claim insurance

How much:     
up to $1,765.00 for single adults
up to $5,300.00 for couples/families 

Eligibility criteria:

• live in a disaster affected area where this grant is activated
• be uninsured or unable to claim insurance to replace or repair your household contents
• qualify under income test:
  • Your gross (before tax) weekly income must be less than:
    • individual: $971 ($50,489 per year)
    • couple: $1,342 ($69,804 per year)
    • sole parent, one child: $1,343 ($69,852 per year)
    • couple, one child $1,664 ($86,552 per year).
  • (For each additional child add a further $322 per week; for each dependent adult add $371 per week).

How to apply:   Ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
Online via the Community Recovery Portal: https://www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au/#/

When your application is completed and it is determined that you live in a disaster affected area, your application will be referred to your local Community Recovery Coordination Centre who will contact you by telephone to arrange a visit.

Then you will need to:

1. Complete and sign the Applicant Information Form.
2. Complete and sign the Essential Household Contents Grant Form.
3. Provide a driver licence, rates notice or electricity bill to confirm the property is your principal place of residence.
4. Meet the income test requirements.

Structural assistance grant 

Financial assistance to assist in repairs to your home to make it secure and safe if you are uninsured or unable to claim insurance. This grant is not available for repairs to investment properties, holiday houses, rental properties, or caravans and boats that are not used as primary places of residence or for pre-existing damage prior to the event.

How much: 
up to $10,995.00 for single adults
up to $14,685.00 for couples/families

Eligibility criteria:

• live in a disaster affected area where this grant is activated
• own or be the mortgagee of the home, caravan or boat
• been living in the home, caravan or boat at the time of the disaster (it was your primary place of residence)
• be uninsured or unable to claim insurance for the structural repairs
• meet the income test:
  • Your gross (before tax) weekly income must be less than:
    • individual: $971 ($50,489 per year)
    • couple: $1,342 ($69,804 per year)
    • sole parent, one child: $1,343 ($69,852 per year)
    • couple, one child $1,664 ($86,552 per year).
  • (For each additional child add a further $322 per week; for each dependent adult add $371 per week).

How to apply:   Ring the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349
Online via the Community Recovery Portal: https://www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au/#/

When your application is completed and it is determined that you live in a disaster affected area, your application will be referred to your local Community Recovery Coordination Centre who will contact you by telephone to arrange a visit.

Then you will need to:

1. Complete and sign the Applicant Information Form.
2. Complete and sign the Structural Assistance Grant Form.
3. Provide a driver licence, rates notice or electricity bill to confirm the property is your principal place of residence.
4. Meet the income test requirements.

Assessment process:   

• If you’re eligible the Department will inspect your property to identify what is needed to make your home safe and habitable. This may also include an assessment of the essential services safety checks for reconnection of electricity, gas, water, sewerage services and septic systems.
• This information, including estimated costs, is sent to the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors for review. Once the scope of works is approved you may be asked to sign a statutory declaration prior to any funds being paid.
• The grant will then be paid into the bank account nominated on your application form. A cheque can be issued where necessary. Once you receive the grant payment, you have 12 months to complete the repairs to your dwelling.
• You will be contacted regularly to see how your home repairs are progressing and if you need any more support.