Qld Floods assistance

7th January 2011

For a comprehensive list of financial support available to individuals, families and businesses go to http://www.sbctc.com.au/article/121/flood-support



12 January 2010 - Flood recovery assistance now available for Wide Bay families and businesses

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has today provided details of Government flood disaster assistance available to businesses in the Fraser Coast, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, North and South Burnett Council areas.

“Businesses and primary producers in the flood affected parts of the Fraser Coast, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, North and South Burnett Regional Councils now have access to Category C Special Assistance Flood grants of up to $25,000 under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. 

“Businesses in flood affected parts of the Fraser Coast, Gympie, and the Burnett Councils will also have access to Category B concessional loans of up to $250,000.”
“I encourage all eligible businesses to apply for any assistance to which they are entitled.
 
“There are many businesses that have been flooded, damaging their premises, equipment and stock, not to mention the loss of trade which also affects the local economy.
“It is important that the Government helps wherever it can, as soon as it can, and as much as it can.  These grants are an important way in which the Government can extend a helping hand.” Information and application forms for the grants and concessional loans is available from www.qraa.qld.gov.au or by telephoning 1800 623 946.

The assistance for businesses and primary producers is in addition to the payments that are available to individuals, families and employees affected by the flood.
“While it is impossible to restore lost personal effects, the Australian Government is already offering some assistance to people affected by floods by providing cash grants to help them replace essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed as a result of the flood,” Mr Truss said.

An Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment for Queensland Flooding is now available from Centrelink for local families and individuals affected by the flood, which provides a payment of $1,000 for each adult or $400 for each child.  Contact Centrelink on 180 22 66 for information about the payment.

A Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is also available from Centrelink for employees, small businesses and farmers who have suffered from a loss of income as a result of the flood.  An eligible single person with no children will receive $469.70 a fortnight, while a single person with children would get $508.20 and couples $424 each.  Contact Centrelink on 180 22 66 for information about the payment.

The Queensland Government offers an Essential Household Contents Grant to flood affected households who have lost essential household items in the disaster and who do not have contents insurance.  The 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.  For information or to make an application please call 1800 173 349.

The Queensland Government also offers a Structural Assistance Grant to uninsured property owners whose home has been damaged by the disaster.  The home must be owned by the applicant and their sole place of residence at the time of the disaster. The 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, provides a contribution towards repair of the residence to a habitable and secure condition.  For information or to make an application please call 1800 173 349.