The Sunshine Coast has been included in a growing list of communities who are now eligible for help under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). Residents suffering hardship as a result of the recent flood and storms associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald are now eligible for financial help under this emergency declaration.
Do you need help?
Financial assistance grants are now available to support those families experiencing personal hardship due to extreme weather including immediate financial assistance, essential household contents grants and other Government assistance. Contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.
Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (PHAS) grants are available to support those families experiencing personal hardship, by covering the immediate, unexpected basic costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation due to the extreme weather.
A grant of up to $180 per person, up to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more, is available to eligible people experiencing genuine hardship.
Essential Household Contents Grants, Structural Assistance Grants and Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants may also be available for individuals and families affected by the flooding.
Essential Household Contents Grants may be available to low-income families to help with the replacement or repair of uninsured, essential household contents which have been lost, damaged or destroyed by the storm.
Additionally, owners of houses that have sustained structural damage and who are not insured may be eligible to receive a Structural Assistance Grant of up to $14,685 per household.
For those owners who are uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may also be eligible for Essential Services Safety Reconnection Scheme Grants to help you reconnect essential services that were damaged by a disaster.
Go to http://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/financial-assistance/ for more information about financial assistance available.
People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the storm should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 for support.
Flood recovery – help for local businesses
As a result of the recent flooding, Sunshine Coast businesses may be eligible for assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
This (Category B Assistance) gives small businesses, including tourism businesses and farmers, access to concessional loans of up to $250,000.
To check eligibility and apply for Category B Assistance, small businesses should contact the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) on 1800 623 946 or visit the QRAA website.
Click here for a Fact Sheet outlining the Government’s assistance for small businesses directly impacted by flooding
I also encourage small businesses to visit the Government’s Business and Industry Portal, www.business.qld.gov.au, where they can find advice on:
Disaster resilience and recovery
What your business should do after a natural disaster
Rebuild your business after a natural disaster
Recovery Plan
Disaster support and assistance for tourism businesses
