Impacted by Cyclone Alfred? Financial Help Is Available Now
Were You Affected By Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred?
Here’s How You Can Receive Financial Assistance ASAP
Were you impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred? If so, you might be eligible for a variety of financial support options to help you get back on your feet.
The Australian Government has introduced multiple relief measures, including Centrelink’s Disaster Recovery Allowance, Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, and the Disaster Relief Grant for New South Wales, all designed to assist those who have lost income or experienced significant damage and/or displacement.
Disaster Recovery Allowance (Income Loss Relief)
The Disaster Recovery Allowance is specifically for those who have lost income as a result of the cyclone. This payment can provide up to $6,500 in support over a period of up to 13 weeks. It's designed to offer immediate financial relief for those who need assistance while they recover.
Eligibility for the Disaster Recovery Allowance:
To qualify for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
Be 16 years old or older
Have experienced a drop in income that is now below the average Australian weekly earnings
Live or work in one of the 31 areas affected by the cyclone across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales
Have lost some or all of your income due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
The affected areas are:
Queensland: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast
New South Wales: Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, Tweed, Lord Howe Island (and any islands within a 3-nautical-mile radius)
To apply for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, visit the Services Australia website via your myGov account. The payment is processed based on individual circumstances and aims to provide financial support for those facing hardship.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a one-off payment designed to offer urgent assistance for individuals and families who have been severely impacted by the cyclone. This payment is available to Australian residents and eligible visa holders aged 16 and over who have been seriously affected by the disaster.
The payment amounts are:
$1,000 per adult
$400 per child
This payment is intended for those who have experienced significant personal or financial hardship, such as:
Serious injury due to the cyclone
The death or disappearance of an immediate family member who is an Australian citizen or resident
Severe damage or destruction to your home
If you meet the criteria for this payment, it's another option to receive immediate financial assistance during your recovery.
Personal Hardship Assistance
This payment is available to residents in affected areas of New South Wales who need assistance covering essential expenses such as food, medication, clothing, temporary accommodation, or other necessities.
Eligible individuals can receive a one-time payment of $180, with an additional $180 per dependent, up to a maximum of four dependents.
You can apply online through Service NSW or call 13 77 88 for more information. To apply, visit the Service NSW website, check your eligibility, gather your required documents, click ‘Apply online,’ log in or create a MyServiceNSW Account, and follow the prompts to complete your application.
Note that applications close at 11:59pm on Tuesday 8 April 2025.
Disaster Relief Grant for New South Wales
In addition to federal support, residents of New South Wales can also apply for the Disaster Relief Grant. This grant is designed to help individuals and families who have been severely affected by the cyclone. The grant can be used for a range of recovery needs, including:
Temporary accommodation for those who have lost their homes
Essential household items and repairs for damaged properties
Here are the types of assistance available to you:
Grants for Replacing Essential Household Items —
Essential Household Goods Grant – Receive up to $18,000 to help replace essential household items such as bedding, furniture, clothing, and key electrical appliances like a refrigerator, washing machine, or stove.
Rough Sleeper/Campers Package – A flat rate of $1,200, plus $150 for each additional resident, is available for eligible applicants living an itinerant lifestyle in a tent, car, or similar.
Grants for Essential Structural Repairs —
Repair Grant – The payment amount is based on an assessment of the required work and contributes toward essential structural repairs to restore a residence (including relocatable homes) to a safe and habitable condition.
Rebuild Grant – Similar to the Repair Grant, this contribution supports rebuilding a residence (including relocatable homes) that has been deemed uninhabitable.
Temporary Dwelling Grant – Provides $5,000 for repairs or $10,000 for rebuilding eligible temporary dwellings that are not approved developments under the relevant consent authority. This includes caravans, motorhomes, cabins, and houseboats.
Access Grant – Offers up to $50,000 for essential repairs to legal accessways on private properties where no safe alternative route exists and where the accessway was properly maintained and fit for purpose before the natural disaster.
To qualify for the Disaster Relief Grant, you must:
Be a resident of New South Wales who was directly impacted by the cyclone.
Own or rent a property that was damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster (including Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred).
Have the damaged property as your principal place of residence.
Be unable to claim the costs under an insurance policy.
Apply within six months of the disaster.
Be a low-income earner.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the NSW Government website or contact your local council for guidance.
Other Support Options
While the Disaster Recovery Allowance, Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, and Disaster Relief Grant are the most direct forms of financial assistance available, you may also qualify for additional support through state or local government agencies, depending on the severity of the damage and your specific needs. Be sure to check for further support options as part of your recovery process.
Here at FRE.DM Wealth, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to everyone affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We truly hope for your swift recovery and that life returns to normal for you as quickly as possible.
