Townsville personal hardship grants top $1 million
Published Wednesday, 18 February, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities in Townsville has processed more than 2,439 personal hardship payments to flood affected residents, totalling in excess of $1.02 million in financial assistance.
“We made Emergent Assistance Grants available to eligible people in the Townsville City Council local government area to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation in the time immediately after the floods,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Department of Communities established the Community Recovery Centre at the Fit for Life building on Charters Towers Road to provide residents with easy access to information and advice,” she said.
“I want to thank all of the staff and community partners who have worked hard over the past weeks to ensure residents affected by the floods in the Townsville City Council areas have had the support they needed, when they needed it.”
Although this Recovery Centre and Emergent Assistant Grants for Townsville are set to close next Thursday, February 26, departmental staff will continue to provide support and assistance to the community with outreach teams.
Townsville residents can still call into the department’s office at Suncorp Plaza Building, 61 Sturt Street.
Anyone in any flooded area can call the Disaster Recovery Hotline for information about assistance, grant eligibility, outreach visits and to organise property inspections. The Disaster Recovery Hotline is 1800 173 349.
“Essential Household Contents and Structural Assistance Grants remain open to uninsured low income-earners,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Essential Household Contents Grants help cover the costs of repairing or replacing items such as furniture, clothing, floor coverings or white goods, and is subject to an income and assets-test.”
Maximum payment limits of up to $1,635 for eligible individuals and up to $4,910 for eligible couples or families apply for essential household contents.
“In addition, Structural Assistance Grants, which are also income and assets-tested, are available to help repair owner-occupied, uninsured properties that have been damaged, to ensure the residence is in a habitable and secure condition,” said the Minister.
Eligible individuals can receive up to $10,100 and eligible couples or families up to $13,600 to address structural damage, but the home must be the principal place of residence for the owners.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office - 32354280
“We made Emergent Assistance Grants available to eligible people in the Townsville City Council local government area to cover the costs of essential items such as food, clothing and accommodation in the time immediately after the floods,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Department of Communities established the Community Recovery Centre at the Fit for Life building on Charters Towers Road to provide residents with easy access to information and advice,” she said.
“I want to thank all of the staff and community partners who have worked hard over the past weeks to ensure residents affected by the floods in the Townsville City Council areas have had the support they needed, when they needed it.”
Although this Recovery Centre and Emergent Assistant Grants for Townsville are set to close next Thursday, February 26, departmental staff will continue to provide support and assistance to the community with outreach teams.
Townsville residents can still call into the department’s office at Suncorp Plaza Building, 61 Sturt Street.
Anyone in any flooded area can call the Disaster Recovery Hotline for information about assistance, grant eligibility, outreach visits and to organise property inspections. The Disaster Recovery Hotline is 1800 173 349.
“Essential Household Contents and Structural Assistance Grants remain open to uninsured low income-earners,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Essential Household Contents Grants help cover the costs of repairing or replacing items such as furniture, clothing, floor coverings or white goods, and is subject to an income and assets-test.”
Maximum payment limits of up to $1,635 for eligible individuals and up to $4,910 for eligible couples or families apply for essential household contents.
“In addition, Structural Assistance Grants, which are also income and assets-tested, are available to help repair owner-occupied, uninsured properties that have been damaged, to ensure the residence is in a habitable and secure condition,” said the Minister.
Eligible individuals can receive up to $10,100 and eligible couples or families up to $13,600 to address structural damage, but the home must be the principal place of residence for the owners.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office - 32354280