Residents of Aspley and other suburbs such as Bald Hills, Boondall, Bracken Ridge, Bridgeman Downs, Brighton, Carseldine, Deagon, Sandgate, Shorncliffe, Zillmere, and Taigum, who suffered significant losses due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, can now access various financial assistance programs from state and federal governments.
The Australian government has initiated two key financial support mechanisms for those affected. Individuals who experienced income loss due to the cyclone can apply for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, which provides fortnightly payments for up to 13 weeks.
The amount received is determined by individual circumstances, aligning with the JobSeeker or Youth Allowance rates, with a maximum of $1,007 per fortnight. Eligibility requires proof of income reduction below the Australian weekly average, and residency within one of the 31 declared affected areas.
Further, a one-off Disaster Recovery Payment is available for those who endured the most severe impacts, such as major home damage, serious injury, or losing a loved one. This payment offers $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.
Meanwhile, the Queensland government has established multiple grant programs to assist impacted communities. These include emergency hardship assistance for immediate needs like food and temporary accommodation, with payments of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families. Essential services hardship assistance is also available for those who experienced prolonged loss of utilities, providing $150 for individuals and up to $750 for families.
Grants are also offered to replace essential household contents, ranging from $1,765 for individuals to $5,300 for families. The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme assists with safety inspections and repairs for essential services, offering up to $4,200 for repairs.
Finally, the Structural Assistance Grant provides up to $80,000 for uninsured, low-income homeowners to repair structurally unsafe dwellings. Eligibility for all Queensland grants requires residency in a declared affected area and meeting specific criteria for each program.
Individuals can apply for federal government assistance through their MyGov accounts or by calling the Australian government emergency information line. Queensland grant applications are available through online forms, and NSW assistance is accessible through Service NSW.
Published Date 17-March-2025
