Getting Assistance from Alfred Disaster Payments: Eligibility, Claims Process, and Available Benefits

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Residents of south-east Queensland and NSW affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred will be able to claim payments for lost income as well as other types of federal or state assistance, the federal government has announced.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said eligible workers and sole traders in impacted areas who have lost income will be able to access up to 13 weeks of income support through the disaster recovery allowance scheme.

“My message to these communities in this difficult time is we’ve got your back and will support you through the recovery,” he said.

He said people would be able to apply from 2pm AEDT on Tuesday.

Albanese said those interested could check their eligibility by logging into the myGov or the Services Australia website.

What is the Disaster Recovery Allowance?

It’s a federal government payment providing up to 13 weeks of income support to people working in the impacted areas.

The payments aim to help employees, small business owners and farmers who experienced a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster.

Who’s eligible?

It is available for those 16 years or older. It’s a fortnightly payment paid at either the JobSeeker rate, or Youth Allowance rate, for up to 13 weeks from the date the recipient began losing income.

As of Monday, over 238,000 households and businesses are without power as Alfred dumped heavy rain across large parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW while moving inland.

Flash flooding alerts have also been issued for coastal areas following heavy rain across south-east Queensland overnight. The warnings primarily affect the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, and Ipswich council areas.

In northern NSW, rain continues to fall, roads remain closed, and residents are warned not to drive through flooded areas.

Albanese said there were 31 local government areas impacted as a direct result of Alfred across the two states.

What other payments are available?

Albanese said he, along with the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, would shortly announce a jointly funded Commonwealth-state support scheme.

Anthony Albanese (right) stands next to a man in a dark jumper.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would soon announce a jointly funded Commonwealth-state support scheme along with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to assist those impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Credit: Tertius Pickard/AAP

The Queensland government is also administering the personal hardship assistance scheme for those in the Logan, Gold Coast city and Redlands city council areas.

These are grants for eligible impacted residents for emergency costs like food, clothing and medicine, replacement of damaged household goods and reconnections of services.

The emergency hardship assistance grants are $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more.

The essential services hardship assistance grant is for help with essential services such as power, gas, water, and sewage and is paid at $150 for individuals and up to $750 for families of five or more.

There are also other payments available like Essential Household Contents Grant, Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme and the Structural Assistance Grant.