Disaster Recovery Allowance Available for ex-Cyclone Alfred Victims
- admin928749
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
If you’ve been hit hard by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, there’s some support on the way. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that those eligible can apply for the government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA). Applications will open tomorrow at 2 p.m. via the myGov website.
“The recovery in this is going to take a long time,” Albanese said, acknowledging the tough road ahead for many.
What’s the Disaster Recovery Allowance?
The DRA is a short-term income support payment designed for people who can prove they’ve lost income due to a disaster. It’s available for up to 13 weeks and covers employees, small business owners, and farmers who’ve lost their livelihood.
How Do You Apply for It?
If you need to apply, here’s how to get started:
Log into myGov and make sure your Centrelink account is linked.
On the Centrelink homepage, choose:
‘Make a claim’
Then ‘Help in an emergency’
Finally, ‘Apply for Disaster Recovery Allowance’
If you need help, you can also call Centrelink’s Emergency information line.
Who Can Apply?
You need to be:
An Australian resident or a specified visa holder.
16 years or older.
Able to prove that your income was directly affected by the disaster.
When you apply, expect to answer a series of eligibility questions.
How Much Will You Get?
The DRA is paid at the maximum equivalent rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your circumstances. It’s not a lump sum—payments are made fortnightly for up to 13 weeks from when your income started to drop.
But there’s more help available! Other support includes:
Lump sum income support payments.
Financial hardship payments.
A three-month pause on any Centrelink debt.
Additional Support in Queensland and NSW
Queensland has announced an Emergency Hardship Assistance (EHA) grant:
$180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more.
It’s to help with essentials like food, clothing, medical supplies, or securing temporary accommodation.
To qualify, you must live in an eligible area, be facing hardship, and be unable to meet immediate essential needs.
New South Wales is also expected to roll out disaster grants soon, so keep an eye out if you’re in that area.
If you or someone you know needs this help, make sure to jump online or give Centrelink a call as soon as applications open!
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