Just In: Income Support Available for Eligible Workers in the Wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred

On Monday March 10, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government will provide financial support to communities affect by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The government is activating a Disaster Recovery Allowance, which will allow workers and sole traders who have lost some or all their income as a result of Alfred to access up to 13 weeks of income support at the Job Seeker level.

The support is available to people in 31 local government areas (listed below). To be eligible for the allowance, a person’s income must have fallen below the average Australian weekly income (around $1975.80 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics). People are encouraged to check their eligibility with Services Australia.

“At the worst of times we see the best of the Australian character. That’s exactly what we’ve seen in the past week in Queensland and New South Wales. My message to these communities in this difficult time is we’ve got your back and will support you through the recovery,” said Albanese in a statement.

Applications open at 2pm on Tuesday March 11. The easiest way to claim is through My Gov, but people who require additional support can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

Below is a full list of local government areas where the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available:
• Brisbane, Queensland
• Fraser Coast, Queensland
• Gold Coast, Queensland
• Gympie, Queensland
• Ipswich, Queensland
• Lockyer Valley, Queensland
• Logan, Queensland
• Moreton Bay, Queensland
• Noosa, Queensland
• Redland, Queensland
• Scenic Rim, Queensland
• Somerset, Queensland
• Southern Downs, Queensland
• Sunshine Coast, Queensland
• Armidale, NSW
• Ballina, NSW
• Bellingen, NSW
• Byron, NSW
• Clarence Valley, NSW
• Coffs Harbour, NSW
• Dungog, NSW
• Glen Innes Severn, NSW
• Kempsey, NSW
• Kyogle, NSW
• Lismore, NSW
• Mid-Coast, NSW
• Nambucca, NSW
• Port Macquarie-Hastings, NSW
• Richmond, NSW
• Tenterfield NSW
• Tweed, NSW
• Lord Howe Island (and any islands within a radius of three nautical miles), NSW