Personal Hardship Assistance helps more than 121,000 Queenslanders

More than 121,000 people have now benefitted from Commonwealth-State funded financial assistance to help rebuild their lives following the impacts of December’s severe weather events in Queensland.

As at 6pm Tuesday 9 January, 121,277 people impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and SEQ’s Christmas storms have been assisted through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme (PHAS), with more than $21.5 million out the door to date.

This includes 29,007 people in Far North Queensland and 92,270 people in the south-east, assistance valued at more than $5.11 million (FNQ) and more than $16.4 million (SEQ) respectively.

PHAS payments are made by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). To find out more or apply call the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:

“Personal Hardship Assistance provided through the DRFA helps cover the costs of life’s essentials for those experiencing the hardship that comes with the aftermath of cyclones, floods, storms and bushfires.”

“This practical assistance goes a long way to aid recovery from severe weather events, as demonstrated in Far North and south-east Queensland, and I urge impacted people to check their eligibility for the range of immediate support.

“While this is a milestone we’d prefer not to reach, it does underline that the Australian and Queensland Governments will continue to work as quickly as possible to support people who find themselves dealing with the consequences of life-changing weather events.

“Applications for the federal payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child, for those who have been directly and seriously impacted, also opened this week which delivers another stream of assistance for those who need it.”

Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:

“The severity of impacts on communities in the Far North and south-east is reflected in the amount of assistance that’s already in the pockets of Queenslanders,” Ms Boyd said.

“When disasters strike, the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme provides assurance that financial help is on hand when it’s most needed.

“I also want to remind Queenslanders that this support remains available, and to encourage anyone who may be eligible but hasn’t applied to call our Community Recovery Hotline, 1800 173 349, or visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.”

Further information on disaster support available to eligible Queenslanders:

Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme

• Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more to support immediate essential needs such as food, clothing or medical supplies.
• Structural Assistance Grants – up to $50,000 for uninsured, income-tested owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.
• Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.

• Essential Household Contents Grants – up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents such as bed linen and white goods.

Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme

• Income-tested grants to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water. Up to $5000 per household.

More can be found at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au.

ENDS