The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child, and is available to eligible people in those affected LGAs who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the Australian Government has been swift to make financial help available because help is needed now.
“We continue to closely monitor the flood emergency and our hearts go out to those people whose lives are being devastated,” Minister McKenzie said.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance will also be provided in the same affected LGAs. DRA assists 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 taxable.
Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.
Minister for Government Services, Senator Linda Reynolds CSC said Services Australia has paid over $100M in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance to people impacted by the Queensland and New South Wales floods.
“The easiest and quickest way to claim the Disaster Recovery Payment and 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. People who have more immediate priorities in these local government areas have 6 months to claim payments,” she said.
Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator Marise Payne, urged flood-affected residents to apply for assistance.
“Both the state and federal governments have moved quickly to activate support for our Western Sydney communities impacted by these awful floods,” Senator Payne said.
“Over 69,000 disaster payments have now been paid by the federal government to support people impacted by these floods, totalling $83M.”
Online claiming via myGov is available 24x7. The Australian Government Emergency Information Line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm local time and this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm local time. For more information on support available, visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster
