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Home> Community Information> February 7 Bushfire Government Assistance |
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Victorian Bushfires
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Federal Government Assistance (Prepared by Gavin Dufty - St Vincent de Paul) About the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) Given the devastation caused by the bushfires in Victoria that commenced 29 January 2009 and may continue into March 2009, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been activated to assist people who have been adversely affected as a direct result of the Victorian Bushfires. Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child, will be available where, as a direct result of the Victoria fires:
Payment Delivery of the Australian Disaster Recovery Payment In locations where Centrelink customers are unable to access ATM or Banking services, emergency cash payments of up to $200 per adult have been made available. Centrelink will ensure people affected by these tragic events are able to access Government Assistance quickly - we can pay the assistance by cheque, Electronic Bank Transfer or by providing a letter to the local bank. Ex-Gratia Payment to Assist with Funeral/Memorial related costs In addition to the above Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment it has been announced that there will be a provision of up to $5,000 for funeral/memorial and any related costs for the immediate families of Australians who have died in the Bushfires in the State of Victoria that commenced 29 January and may continue into March 2009. An individual is eligible for funeral/memorial assistance if the individual is:
The immediate family member is one of the following: the person’s partner, or
For more information on eligibility or if you have any queries contact Centrelink on 180 2211. Mail your claim and copies of your supporting documentation to the following address:
State Government assistance Personal hardship grants Emergency Grants Emergency Grants provide assistance to meet immediate basic needs only and are designed to cover expenses such as clothing, food, personal items, appropriate shelter and specific one-off transport costs. They are available to people who have had their principal place of residence affected by an emergency, either through damages or loss of property. Principal Place of Residence A principal place of residence is the address at which household residents were living at the time of the emergency event. It is usually the residence where all essential living and household items are maintained, where private mail is delivered, and driver’s licence and electoral registration are recorded. Eligibility Emergency Grants are discretionary payments, and although they are not income tested, they are based on the needs of the applicant which must be demonstrated through an assessment process. They are also intended for incidents of a particular nature. Needs eligible for Emergency Grants include:
Grant Entitlements The amount of each Emergency Grant is based on need. The maximum household entitlement is $1067. This is calculated at a maximum of $427 per adult and $213 per child. These amounts were revised in July 2007. Payments are made by cheque. Applying for a Grant To apply for a grant, you must undertake an assessment interview with an assessment officer from the Department of Human Services. You will need to provide forms of identification that identify you and your place of residence. Any of the following forms of identification are acceptable:
Conditions of Emergency Grant Assessments Emergency Grant assessments must take place within seven days after the emergency event, unless there are exceptional circumstances preventing the applicant from undertaking the assessment within that time. Only one grant per principal place of residence can be provided. Temporary living expenses grant and re-establishment grant The Department of Human Services administers a number of Personal Hardship Grants to people affected by an emergency. The following grants are only available once authorised by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. They aim to assist affected people to recover from an emergency and are not intended to compensate for losses or replace insurance. Temporary Living Expenses Grants Temporary Living Expenses Grants assist households with the cost of temporary accommodation and living expenses when a principal place of residence is unfit to live in or inaccessible for more then one week. Temporary Living Expenses Grants may assist with needs such as:
A principal place of residence is the address at which household residents were living at the time of the emergency event. It is usually the residence where all essential living and household items are maintained, where private mail is delivered, and driver’s licence and electoral registration are recorded. Eligibility Temporary Living Expenses and Re-establishment Grants are subject to an income test. Affected households where weekly income does not exceed the upper income threshold are eligible to apply. These grants are also based on a needs assessment and are intended for specific incidents including:
Grant Entitlements The amount of each Grant is determined through an interview that is based on a needs assessment and income test. Depending on the size of a household, a Temporary Living Expense Grant may be available up to a maximum of $865 per week, for a total of up to $8,650. The Re-establishment Grant has two components. A maximum of up to $8,650 may be available for repairs to structural damage to a residence and up to $8,650 may be available to replace essential household contents such as furnishings and electrical goods. Applying for a Grant To apply for a grant, you must be interviewed by an assessment officer from the Department of Human Services. You will need to provide forms of identification that identify you and your place of residence. As these grants are income tested, your income must be verified by wage slips, bank accounts or tax statements. Other Information You may be required to repay a grant if: You are subsequently found not to have incurred the expenses for which the grant was approved or; You subsequently receive assistance, insurance payment or compensation related to expenses for which a grant was paid. You will be required to sign a statutory declaration form stating that you have incurred needs due to an emergency and that the details you have provided are correct. Further Information For more information about Personal Hardship Grants please contact your appropriate Department of Human Services office:
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Page updated: 06.07.09 |
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