From Tuesday, eligible Queenslanders in Gympie, the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg local government areas impacted by the current flooding event can apply for special financial support from the Australian Government.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will be available from 8am Tuesday, 11 January 2022 to support people in the local government areas of Bundaberg, Gympie and Fraser Coast.
Federal Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said parts of Wide Bay had been seriously impacted by severe flooding and storm damage.
“By making this financial support available, the Australian Government is helping people get back on their feet as soon as possible,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The 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 people in those council areas who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.
“The Disaster Recovery Allowance will provide a short-term income support payment to assist eligible 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.”
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 fastest way to claim the Disaster recovery payment is online through myGov. People can prepare to claim by creating a myGov account if they don’t already have one,” Mr O’Brien said.
For Disaster Recovery Allowance people can claim over the phone, by calling the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
The Australian Government is also pausing Centrelink debt raising and new debt recovery in the affected locations.
Staff from Services Australia are available to take calls between 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 180 2266
Please check your eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster
“Over the coming days Councils and Queensland State Government agencies will conduct a thorough assessment of the damage the floods caused throughout Wide Bay and make recommendations to the Australian Government for assistance, to help local communities recover and rebuild from the significant damage caused by these events.”
