March 1, 2022
South Burnett residents who have suffered a significant loss in the weekend floods could be eligible for Federal Government support payments.
The Disaster Recovery Payment is a lump-sum payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
It is available to eligible residents in the Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba council areas.
The Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off, non-means tested payment and is available to eligible people in these LGAs who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.
Also available is the Disaster Recovery Allowance, an ongoing payment for up to 13 weeks for employees and sole traders whose income has been directly affected by flooding.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides a short-term income support payment to assist sole traders and individuals whose employment or income has been affected by this latest severe weather event. This allowance is taxable.
Equivalent financial assistance under both schemes is also available to eligible New Zealand citizens.
- External link: Disaster Recovery Payments and Allowances
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Personal Hardship Grants are also available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for eligible flood-affected residents in the Gympie, Somerset, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley and Moreton Bay council areas
Senator Bridget McKenzie said the DRFA assistance would provide grants of up to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more or $180 per person to eligible people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the floods.
“These payments are designed to cover essential items such as food and clothing for people who are doing it tough as a result of the floods, in addition to the reconnection of essential services once it’s safe to return home,” Senator McKenzie said.
UPDATE: Personal Hardship Grants have also been extended to the Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Logan, Noosa, North Burnett and Sunshine Coast council areas.
- External link: Personal Hardship Grants
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South Burnett Regional Council is one of 17 across Queensland which will receive government disaster funding in the wake of the recent flooding.
The jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) also cover Gympie, the North Burnett, Somerset and Toowoomba councils as well as Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and the Sunshine Coast.
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