As ex-Cyclone Alfred continues to bring severe weather conditions to southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced crucial disaster relief measures for those affected.
What is the Disaster Recovery Allowance?
The Disaster Recovery Allowance is short-term support for those who have had their income affected due to ex-Cyclone Alfred. As Prime Minister Albanese explained in a press conference last week, “The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a payment for up to 13 weeks for people who are unable to work as a direct result of the disaster”.
This allowance hopes to provide financial support to help individuals get back on their feet during a challenging time.
Albanese noted, “There are also jointly funded payments between the Commonwealth and the states, so they are activated by the states”.
How much is the Disaster Recovery Allowance?
It depends — the amount you will be paid is according to the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance. So it’s a case-to-case situation based on your personal circumstances.
Right now the maximum amount available is $1,007 per fortnight.
Who can access the recovery funds for ex-Cyclone Alfred?
To be eligible, applicants must be Australian citizens or New Zealand special category visa holders, at least 16 years old, and have had their income affected by the disaster.
If you live in these areas, you are eligible to apply for the allowance:
Queensland: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
New South Wales: Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield and Tweed.
People living within a three nautical mile radius of Lord Howe Island are also eligible.
Applications for the Disaster Recovery Allowance open on Tuesday, March 11, at 2pm via the myGov website.
State support for ex-Cylone Alfred
States also have the option to activate a personal hardship assistance scheme.
“States can choose to activate these payments which cover immediate personal costs like replacing food, medical supplies, clothing, and essential household items like bed linen and white goods,” Albanese noted at the press conference last week.
Queensland has announced an Emergency Hardship Assistance (EHA) grant which will give $180 per person and up to $900 for a family of five or more. This grant isn’t income or asset tested and can cover food, clothing, medical supplies and temporary accommodation.
Prior to the announcement, disaster recovery funding was activated for 12 south-east Queensland councils to assist with preparation and recovery efforts, including sandbagging, evacuations, and emergency repairs to roads and public infrastructure.
This funding supports local government areas such as Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast. As Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy noted in a media statement three days ago, “We’re prepared for Cyclone Alfred and we’re asking Queenslanders to do the same. We have resources on the ground, ready to go, as soon as Cyclone Alfred passes. We are working in partnership with councils and this funding will greatly assist them with their preparations for their communities”.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli emphasised the ongoing challenges, stating this morning, “The challenge is now flash flooding, creek rises — they remain a real prospect predicted in days ahead. We have to be ready for that prospect and with already swollen catchments, the risk of flash flooding remains,” per SBS.
Despite the downgrading of Cyclone Alfred to a tropical low, severe weather warnings remain in place for most of southeast Queensland and northern NSW, with thousands under evacuation orders and significant damage reported in areas like the Gold Coast.
For information on what to do and how to stay safe during a flood, click HERE. You can check out all the associated storm and weather warnings HERE. If you’re in an affected storm area, you can find advice HERE. And if you were affected by the storms and need help figuring out how to lodge an insurance claim, you can find info HERE.
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