The aftermath of Cyclone Alfred has left many in the Gold Coast community facing significant hardship. If you or someone you know has been directly impacted, there are financial assistance payments available through Services Australia (Federal) and the Queensland Government (State).

The below list keeps these together.

Federal Assistance – Services Australia

1. Disaster Recovery Payment

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you or an eligible child you care for were directly impacted in one of the following ways:

•  Your principal place of residence was destroyed or has incurred major damage requiring replacement or repairs.
• Major assets on your property (such as your car, caravan, or shed) were damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced.
• You, or an eligible child you care for, were seriously injured as a direct result of the disaster.
• You, or an eligible child you care for, are an immediate family member of an Australian resident or citizen who is missing as a direct result of the disaster.
• You, or an eligible child you care for, are an immediate family member of an Australian resident or citizen who has died as a direct result of the disaster.
• You were adversely impacted by the disaster in a way not listed above.
• You are not eligible if you were not adversely impacted by the disaster.

How to Apply:

• Log into Centrelink
• Navigate to Make a Claim
• Select Help in an Emergency
• Choose Cyclone Alfred

More info & apply: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-support

2. Federal Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) – Lost Income Support

If you lost income due to the cyclone, you may be eligible for Disaster Recovery Allowance, a short-term payment available for up to 13 weeks.

Eligibility

• You were 16 or older at the time of the disaster.
• You are an Australian resident or meet other residence rules.
• You work or live in a declared Local Government Area.
• You lost some or all of your income as a direct result of the cyclone.
• You earn less than $1,924.60 per week in the 13 weeks following the disaster.

More info & apply: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-support

Queensland Government Grants – not means tested

All of these can be applied for at:
https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance

1. Emergency Hardship Assistance

Provides immediate financial support for essential needs such as food, medication, clothing, and temporary accommodation.

Eligibility

• You live in or are stranded in the affected area.
• You have experienced personal hardship and cannot meet your immediate essential needs.

Grant Amount:

• $180 per person
• Up to $900 per family of five or more

2. Essential Services Hardship Assistance

Provides financial support for those who have lost essential services (power, gas, water, or sewage) for more than five days.

Eligibility

• You live in the affected area.
• You have lost one or more essential services for more than 5 days and are experiencing personal hardship.
• Your utility provider confirms the service outage.

Grant Amount:

• $150 per person
• Up to $750 per family of five or more

Queensland Government Grants – means tested

1. Essential Household Contents Grant

For those who have lost essential household items such as bed linen, white goods, and furniture.

Eligibility

• You live in the affected area.
• You own the lost items.
• You own or rent the affected residence.
• You are uninsured or unable to claim insurance.
• You meet the income limits.

Grant Amount:

• $1,765 for individuals
• Up to $5,300 for couples or families

2. Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant

For safety inspections and repairs needed to restore essential services (electricity, water, gas, and sewage).

Eligibility

• You live in the affected area.
• You have had your essential services disconnected.
• You own and live in the affected residence.
• You are uninsured or unable to claim insurance.
• You meet the income limits.

Grant Amount:

• $200 for safety inspections (electricity, water, gas, sewage).
• Up to $4,200 for necessary repairs or reconnection.

3. Structural Assistance Grant

For major structural repairs or contributions towards home replacement for uninsured homeowners.

Eligibility

•  You live in the affected area.
•  You own and live in the affected residence.
• Your home has become structurally unsafe to live in.
• You are uninsured or unable to claim insurance.
• You meet the income limits.

Grant Amount:

• Up to $80,000 for uninsured, low-income homeowners to help repair or replace their home.

Support – Need Help?

If you’re feeling emotionally impacted by the disaster, support is available.

Phone support

Community Recovery Hotline (QLD Govt)
1800 173 349 (Financial & social support)

Community Recovery Lifeline (QLD Govt)
1800 116 671 (24/7 confidential emotional support)

Lifeline (National Crisis Support)
13 11 14

In-person support