Personal hardship grants available for flood victims

Published 9:10am 1 March 2022

Image above of flooding at Burpengary East courtesy of North Brisbane Photography.

Eligible flood-affected individuals and families in the Moreton Bay Region can now access personal hardship assistance, with the program extended across more of south east Queensland as flooding continues to affect the state.

Grants are available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for eligible flood-affected residents in several local government areas, including Moreton Bay.

Assessments are also taking place for possible activations for rhardship assistance for residents in parts of the Brisbane and Logan government areas.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie says the DRFA assistance will 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.

“Today’s announcement extends the availability of these grants to all flood-affected residents dealing with personal hardship in the Gympie Regional Council area, in addition to the local government areas of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay and Somerset.

“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.”

Support available

State Fire and Emergency Services Minister and Morayfield MP Mark Ryan says the state government wants to ensure flood-affected people have access to support.

“Queensland has not faced an event of this scale for many years, and the Australian and Queensland governments are continuing to work closely with local governments, and communities, to extend DRFA assistance where it is needed,” Mr Ryan says.

“This is an unfolding situation and we stand ready to further extend DRFA relief measures to communities as more impacts are fully understood.

“Areas affected by flooding in Brisbane and Logan are currently being assessed for the provision of personal hardship financial assistance and those assessments are being progressed as a matter of priority.”

What's on offer:

Financial Assistance/Grants	Organisation	Contact
Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA). Short-term income support payment to assist individuals who can demonstrate their income has been affected as a direct result of a disaster. Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child who have been significantly affected by a major disaster either in Australia or overseas.	Australian Government	www.servicesaustralia.qov.au/disaster Call the myGov helpdesk on 13 23 07
Personal Hardship Assistance Grant Grants of up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more to eligible people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the floods.	Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA)	www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies
The Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant If deemed eligible, applicants may receive $180 per person up to $900 for a family of 5 or more. The grant is initially available to claim for 7 days following the activation of the grant in your area. Essential services hardship assistance grant If deemed eligible, applicants may receive $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of 5 or more. The grant is initially available to claim for 7 days following the activation of the grant in your area. Essential household contents grant Grants of up to $1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families are available. Structural assistance grant Grants of up to $10,995 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families are available. Essential services safety and reconnection grant Grant to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster. Queensland Government		www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au/ Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349