The Albanese Government today activated its latest round of support for communities affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its aftermath, extending the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) to all of Ipswich and Brisbane, and parts of the Somerset region.

The AGDRP offers eligible residents $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child for impacted residents, but is reserved for households which have suffered the most extreme impacts including serious damage to their home, injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

This payment has also been extended to Brightview, Dundas, Glamorgan Vale and Royston in the Somerset region.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said AGDRP would offer some support to people who were dealing with things like damaged homes and cars.

“I urge people to check out the Services Australia website to see if they’re eligible for AGDRP,” Mr Neumann said.

“The support through AGDRP is just part of the support that we are providing to help those affected rebuild their lives.”

The Albanese Government is working closely with the Crisafulli Government to ensure that supports are available in response to the different challenges that people have experienced during ex-TC Alfred.

Joint Commonwealth-State supports

• If a person lost essential services such as power, gas, water and sewerage for more than 5 days, they may be eligible for the Essential Services Hardship Assistance: a payment of between $150 - $750 depending on household size. 
• If a person needs help to cover the costs of emergency essentials like food clothing and medicine, they may be eligible for the Personal Hardship Assistance: a payment of between $180 - $900 depending on household size. 

• If a person lost essential household contents like bed linen or white goods, they may be eligible for the Essential Household Contents Grant: a payment of between $1,765 - $5,300 depending on household size. 

• If a person’s home has become structurally unsafe to live in they may be eligible for the Structural Assistance Grant: uninsured, low income owner occupiers can receive up to $80,000 to help repair home to make it safe, secure and habitable. 

These payments are administered by the Queensland Government and people can check their eligibility on the Queensland Government website at: www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies

Commonwealth supports

• If a person has suffered a loss of income as a direct result, they may also be eligible for the Australian Government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA), which offers up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances.

• If a person has suffered the most extreme impacts including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, they may be eligible for the AGDRP which offers residents $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.

Residents can check their eligibility for the AGDRP and DRA on the Services Australia website at: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport

The quickest way to claim is online through myGov, or via the myGov app. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or they can call 1800 076 072.

Small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in South East Queensland can apply for concessional loans to support their recovery.

Loans have been activated for eligible operators across the Local Government Areas of Brisbane, Ipswich, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim local government areas.

• Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 for eligible small businesses and primary producers and up to $100,000 for eligible not-for-profits will cover the repair or replacement of damaged equipment and infrastructure, and restocking.
• Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 are available to help business operations continue, including paying salaries or wages, creditors, rent or rates.
• Freight subsidies up to $5,000 are also available to impacted primary producers to move stock or produce.

This assistance is jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Caption: Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann and Member for Ipswich West Wendy Bourne meet with a Tivoli homeowner as floodwaters receded