Individuals - Flood Assistance Information
Wed Jan 19 2011INDIVIDUALS
Flood Assistance Information
1. Australian Government
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) gives a $1000 one-off payment to those adversely affected by a major or widespread disaster ($400 for each child). “Adversely affected” means, among other things, injured, death of a family member, residence damaged or destroyed, unable to access or stranded in residence, or were without electricity, gas, water or sewerage for at least 48 hours.
You must lodge a claim by 4 July 2011. A claim form is available on the centrelink website.
- Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy
The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is available for employees, small business persons and farmers who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and severe weather that commenced on 29 November 2010 and continued in December 2010, January 2011 and February 2011.
Disaster Income Recovery, fortnightly payment for 13 weeks to cover loss of income, payments range from $424 to $508 depending on marital status and number of children
To be eligible you must derive an income from the area affected by the disaster, or reside in the area affected by the disaster; and
o Have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster;
o Can show evidence supporting the claimed loss of income within 28 days (for example, pay slips from an employer, bank statements showing previous bank deposits from an employer, a letter from the employer, BAS statements, income tax returns, or other account documents identifying cash flow);
o Not currently (at the time of lodgement) receiving another income support payment or pension
o Each member of a couple must qualify in their own right.
You must lodge a claim by 28 February 2011. A claim form is available on the centrelink website.
2. Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can help individuals and businesses who have been affected by natural disasters. Assistance may include:
o Fast-tracking of refunds
o Extra time to pay debts
o More time to meet activity statement, income tax and other lodgement obligations
o Support if you are suffering financial hardship as a result of the disaster.
The ATO have also advised that taxpayers in flood affected areas with a monthly BAS statement due on the 21 January 2011 will automatically be given an extension to the 21 February 2011.
3. Queensland Government
- Personal Hardship Assistance Grant
Personal Hardship Assistance may be available to individuals and families who do not have the capacity to meet immediate, unexpected basic costs for food, clothing, medical supplies or accommodation caused by the disaster.
This grant is a once-off payment of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $850 for a family of five or more. Personal Hardship Assistance Grants are not means tested, however if you are seeking assistance you will need to establish that you have experienced, or will experience, personal hardship as a result of the disaster.
- Essential Household Contents Grant
An Essential Household Contents Grant may be available to people who own essential household contents that have been lost or damaged in the disaster and who do not have contents insurance.
This grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $1,705 per adult, up to a maximum of $5,120 for a couple/family.
Eligible household contents may include cooking utensils, clothing, bedding and linen, floor coverings, essential furniture and white goods and food lost due to storm damage. The grant assists with the repair or replacement of essential items and maximum limits apply for individual items.
An income test will be applied to applications for this grant. If you are eligible, departmental officers will visit your home, to assess the damage and to complete an application form with you.
- Structural Assistance Grant
A Structural Assistance Grant may be available to property owners whose home has been damaged by the disaster. The home must be uninsured for this disaster event, owned by the applicant and their sole place of residence at the time of the disaster. The grant provides a contribution towards repair of the residence to a habitable and secure condition.
This grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $10,500 per individual, and up to $14,200 for a couple/family, less amounts paid as an Emergent Assistance Grant and/or Essential Household Contents Grant.
An income and assets test will be applied to applications for this grant. If you are eligible, departmental officers will visit your home to assess the damage and to complete an application form with you.
- Eligibility for an Essential Household Contents Grant or a Structural Assistance Grant
The Essential Household Contents and Structural Assistance grants are means tested and applicants will need to satisfy the following income and asset tests for these grants:
| Upper income limits: |
Individual: $704/week + $51 for each dependent |
| Couple: $930/week + $51 for each dependent |
| Upper asset limits: |
Pensioners: $25,101 |
| Others: $6,135 |
Your primary residence, household contents, one motor vehicle and superannuation are not included in these assets amounts.
Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis and you will need to discuss your eligibility for these grants with officers from the Department of Communities.
To apply for Queensland Government grants please call 1800 173 349.
- Loss of birth certificates and deferral of outstanding fines
Flood victims can now apply for free replacement birth, death, marriage or change-of-name certificates. Flood victims with outstanding fines with the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) can apply to have the fines temporarily deferred.
Simply apply at a courthouse or a Queensland Government Agent Program office or phone the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on 1300 366 430 or email BDM-mail@justice.qld.gov.au.
4. Banks
Banks are currently advising they can help businesses and individuals with the following services:
o Deferring home loan repayments for up to 3 months;
o Provision of temporary overdrafts;
o Restructuring business loans without incurring fees;
o Giving credit card holders an emergency credit limit increase;
o Refinancing personal loans at a discounted fixed rate;
o Waiving interest rate penalties for early withdrawal of term deposits;
o Deferring monthly payments on equipment finance facilities for up to 3 months.
However, they have advised that they are willing to help where they can, so you should contact your bank to find out what services they can offer that may assist in your circumstances.
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