Queensland Floods
It has been Queensland’s worst disaster on record and while thousands of volunteers are digging deep to help out neighbours and strangers alike, there are also a number of other resources available to help those who have suffered. Although you may not have been directly affected by the floods please pass on this email to friends, neighbours or family if you feel it may be of benefit to them.
Following is a summary of support services available through a number of government and industry bodies.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been activated to assist people who have been adversely affected by the heavy rainfall, storm damage and associated flooding that began in November 2010 and continued in January 2011 in the state of Queensland.
Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be made if:
• a person was seriously injured, or
• a person is the immediate family member of an Australian killed as a direct result of the disaster, or
• a person’s principal place of residence has been destroyed, or
• a person’s principal place of residence has sustained major damage, or
• a person is unable to gain access to their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more, or
• a person is stranded in their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more, or
• a person's principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage services or another essential service for at least 48 hours (a utility failure) and the utility failure was caused by damage to public or private infrastructure, or
• a person is a principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.
Accessing the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
• Centrelink will assist people affected by these events to access Government assistance quickly.
• Centrelink social workers and psychologists can provide counseling, support and information about services available.
• For more information on eligibility or if you have any queries, call Centrelink on 180 22 66.
The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy has been activated to assist employees, small business persons, and farmers who have had a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and severe weather that began from 29 November 2010 and continued in January 2011 in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. It consists of ex-gratia payments equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance, as detailed below:
Rate Amount
Single $469.70 per fortnight
Single with dependent child $508.20 per fortnight
Partnered $424 (each) per fortnight
Under 21 (from 1 January 2011) $388.70 per fortnight
Under 21 (from 29 November 2010 to 31 December 2010) $377 per fortnight
16-20 year old, single with dependent child $508.20 per fortnight
Eligibility
A claimant will be eligible for the Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy where he/she:
• derives an income from an area affected by the disaster or resides in an area affected by the disaster; and
• Is 16 years of age, or older, and is not a dependent child;
• Is either an Australian resident and living in Australia for the period he/she is receipt of the Subsidy; or a foreign national, living or working in Australia at the time of the disaster and for the period of time he/she is in receipt of the Subsidy;
• Has experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster and can show evidence supporting this within 28 days; and
• Is not currently (at the time of lodgement) receiving another income support payment or pension (such as Age Pension, Newstart Allowance, service pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or Exceptional Circumstances Income Relief Payment); and
• Where a member of a couple, the claimant must qualify in their own right.
More information on how to register and claim can be found at the following website.
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/support.html Small Business Support
About 10,000 businesses have been directly hit by Queensland's flood disaster but government assistance is ramping up and industry bodies are organising support schemes.
The Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority website provides details of grants of up to $25,000 to assist small businesses and primary producers with clean-up and recovery efforts following the flood crisis (including immediate recovery assistance grants of up to $5000).
Low-interest loans of up to $250,000 are also available to fund the repair and/or replacement of damaged plant and equipment, buildings or stock.
The Federal Government said small business owners who were flood victims could receive about $250 a week for the next three months.
Businesses can check if a deferral has been received by checking on the ATO's Business Portal website or calling the emergency support info line on 1800 806 218.
Read more:
http://www.news.com.au/business/business-owner/help-on-the-way-for-flood-business-owners/story-e6frfm5i-1225989218485#ixzz1BFFJLLN9 FLOOD CRISIS - Who to contact
Queensland Government
www.qld.gov.au/floodsQueensland Rural Adjustment Authority
www.qraa.qld.gov.auPh 1800 623 946
Federal Government
www.disasterassist.gov.auPh 180 2266
Australian Taxation Office
www.ato.gov.au/businessPh 1800 806 218
Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry
www.ipswichchamber.org.auPh 3810 6666
Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland
www.cciq. com.au/fl oods
Ph 1300 135 822
Pro Bono Financial Advice
For those affected, many start the painstaking process of rebuilding their lives - in some instances from scratch. We are here for our clients to help with advice and planning to aid in the re-building process. This might be for family, parents or business owners looking at managing cashflow in the short term. It might be in providing assistance in understanding and claiming any of the eligible subsidies on offer.
As part of the Financial Planning Association's pro-bono program we are offering advice free of charge to flood victims, so please don't hesitate to contact us or pass on our details if we can be of assistance.
Kind Regards