As the bushfire emergency in Queensland continues to ravage communities, assistance is being extended to more affected residents through the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme and Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme.
The Australian and Queensland Governments are providing support under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to alleviate the hardships faced by individuals and families in various areas.
Residents of Ballandean, Cherry Gully, Dalveen, Elbow Valley, Girraween, Lyra, Silverwood, The Glen, Wallangarra, Wildash, and Wyberba in the Southern Downs region can now access crucial assistance.
The Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme offers financial aid of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more.
This funding is specifically designated to cover essential items like food, clothing, and medicine.
In addition, uninsured residents in these areas can also seek financial grants through the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme.
These income-tested grants offer up to $5,000 per household to inspect and reconnect vital services such as electricity, gas, and water that may have been damaged during the bushfires.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, emphasised the proactive approach taken to address the challenges of this fire season.
“We knew that this would be a challenging fire season, and we are working together to make sure that we are as prepared as we can be.”
Watt further acknowledged that the extended support to affected localities will help individuals and families cover immediate needs while facilitating the process of returning to their homes by ensuring the restoration of essential services.
To find out more about disaster assistance, eligibility criteria, and how to apply for aid, residents are encouraged to visit the official website at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp
The comprehensive information provided on the website will guide impacted individuals and families on the available support and necessary steps to access assistance.
