In light of the impacts from Tropical Cyclone Alfred, eligible individuals will be able to receive the government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance, as announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. During an interview on the Today show, Albanese noted that applications for this assistance will open at 2pm tomorrow through the myGOV website, signalling the government’s support for those affected.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is designed as a temporary income support payment, aimed at helping individuals who can demonstrate a loss of income due to a declared disaster. This payment could be available for a period of up to thirteen weeks for eligible workers, small business owners, and farmers who have seen a decline in their income.
To apply for the DRA, applicants must have a myGOV account along with a Centrelink login. Once logged in, individuals should navigate to the Centrelink homepage to select ‘Make a claim,’ followed by ‘Help in an emergency,’ and then ‘Apply for Disaster Recovery Allowance’. Eligibility for the payment extends to Australian residents and certain visa holders aged 16 and over, who can confirm that their income has been directly impacted by the disaster.
As for the payment structure, it is important to note that the Disaster Recovery Allowance is not a one-off lump sum but is issued fortnightly for up to 13 weeks from the point at which applicants begin experiencing income loss. Alongside the DRA, the government also provides various forms of assistance, including lump sum income support, financial hardship payments, and the suspension of Centrelink debt collections for three months.
Prime Minister Albanese highlighted the prolonged nature of recovery efforts following the cyclone, emphasising the government’s commitment to supporting affected communities throughout this challenging period.