Disaster Relief Australia: How Much Is The Payment, Eligibility and Dates? The poor and senior citizens are affected the most by any disaster. To help them financially and provide them relief, the Australian government has launched a Disaster Relief Program in which disaster-affected individuals are provided monetary aid. To learn about Disaster Relief Australia, how much is the payment, who is eligible for this payment and when it will be distributed, read the complete article.
Disaster Relief Australia
Any individual who has been directly affected by a declared natural disaster may be eligible for the Disaster relief payment by the Australian government. The payment is an immediate monetary help to Australian citizens whose incomes are affected due to natural disasters. It is a short-term payment to provide temporary financial assistance to eligible citizens of Australia.
This is not a monthly payment but a lump sum payment, which will be provided at once to individuals who experience a great loss due to a declared natural disaster, including injuries, loss of family members, or any damage to their house and property. The disasters include:
- Floods
- Storms
- Bushfires
- Monsoons
- Cyclones
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Article Name | Disaster Relief Australia: How Much Is The Payment, Eligibility and Dates? |
| Progarm Name | Disaster Relief Australia |
| Providing Authority | Centrelink |
| Country | Australia |
| Payment Amount |
|
| Payment Duration | One-time lump sum |
| Eligibility | Individuals who are directly impacted from a declared natural disaster |
| Category | Government Aid |
| Official Website | Services Australia |
How Much Is The Payment?
The Centrelink Disaster Relief Payment is a component of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and offers immediate monetary assistance to Australian citizens severely affected by declared natural disasters. The primary aim of this payment is to support individuals in managing the immediate expenses that arise after incidents such as bushfires, floods, or storms. The Australian Government must realise these events as disasters in order to make payments available.
The government provides $1000 for each eligible adult and $400 for each eligible child (under the age of 16). This payment is not taxable so you need not include it in your tax return.
Eligibility Criteria for Disaster Relief Australia
- Citizenship and Residency: To be eligible for the payment, it is mandatory for the individual to be a citizen or a permanent resident of Australia according to the specific criteria set by the government.
- Age Requirement: The individual must be at least 16 years old or older or receiving social services from Centrelink.
- Location: The individual must be residing in the area where the disaster has been declared during the event.
- Direct Impact: The payment is only for those who have been directly affected by the declared natural disaster, which includes:
- If your home has been damaged or there has been a major loss of property.
- if the accident directly caused harm to you or a dependent.
- If your close family member has either died or is missing due to the natural disaster.
Payment Dates
There are no single fixed dates for the Centrelink Disaster Relief Payment since there is no confirmation when a disaster takes place. Mostly, the payments are made after the event is declared a disaster. The payment amounts and time periods vary from disaster to disaster. To get the updated information about the payment dates of disaster relief, you can check the official website of Services Australia.
How to apply?
Follow the simple steps given below to apply for Centerlink disaster relief payment in 2024.
- Eligibility: Before applying for any payment, you must check if you meet all eligibility criteria. If yes, then you can proceed further.
- Official Website: Visit the official website of the Services Australia portal or use the MyGov website. You have to create an account if you don’t have one already. If you have an account, then simply log in to it using your ID and your password.
- Application Form: Fill out the application form visible on your screen. Fill out the form carefully to avoid any mistakes.
- Documentation: Upload the required documents:
- Proof of address in the disaster-affected area.
- Australian birth certificate or citizenship certificate
- Documentation of damages or losses
- Submit the Claim: After completing the application, submit it for review. Services Australia will quickly process the claim to provide immediate financial relief.