Bushfire disaster payment applications closing soon

Australians wishing to claim Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance for the 2019 bushfire season should put in their applications quickly, as closing dates are approaching.

Services Australia has so far paid out more than $280 million in bushfire assistance for the 2019-20 'Black Summer' bushfires.

The total includes more than $232 million in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments (AGDRP), more than $15.8 million in Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) and around $34.6 million in Additional Payments for Children (APC).

However, with the six month claiming period drawing to a close, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud and Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert, urged anyone who hasn't yet claimed, to get in quick.

"The payments are designed to be immediate assistance for people trying to get their lives back together in the aftermath of natural disaster like last summer's bushfires," Minister Littleproud said.

"The closing date varies for each State and Territory, so I'd advise people to check the Services Australia website to find out more about the eligibility criteria and exactly how much time is left."

Minister Robert said the fastest and easiest way to make a claim was over the phone by calling

180 22 66.

"Staff on the 180 22 66 hotline have answered over 340,000 calls and processed over 229,000 claims for disaster payments since September 2019, with the line open from 8am to 5pm local time Monday to Friday," Minister Robert said.

For more information on emergency payments, eligibility criteria, and how to claim, go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster

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BACKGROUND

Financial Assistance

AGDRP is available to individuals whose homes or assets were severely damaged or destroyed or who were seriously injured or lost an immediate family member in the fires. The payment is $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. APC is paid automatically to an adult who is eligible for AGDRP for a child in their care.

DRA is available for individuals who lost income as a direct result of the fires. The payment is the same rate as JobSeeker payment or Youth Allowance ,  based on a person's individual circumstances.

Summary of claims as at 28 June 2020

   *Rounded to nearest dollar

**Total for both Queensland events