More support for those struggling post-disaster

More support is available to help Queenslanders recover and rebuild from our worst ever summer of natural disasters.

The state and Australian governments are providing a range of community support measures under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements in Queensland.

They include up to $10 million for a Mental Health Disaster Recovery Package to support mental health services in disaster-affected communities in Queensland on top of $1.2 million in funding announced earlier this year. Local mental health organisations will receive much needed funding to bolster their excellent work within severely affected communities.

These funds will go towards promoting mental wellness, assist with building people’s resilience after the disasters and delivering additional support services to people with mental illness, their carers and family members.

The joint government recovery package also includes:

• $20 million for councils, with the state’s most highly impacted communities to undertake community development and recovery activities, including supporting not-for-profit community groups, events and memorials
• up to $5.8 million in financial counselling to provide support to families and individuals affected by the disasters and who are experiencing financial problems
• a $2 million Disabilities Care Plan to help a number of non-government organisations across Queensland to deliver crisis accommodation and respite care for people with a disability.

Changes have also been made to the level of assistance people can receive from the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

The maximum payment for people who have lost their home and are eligible for Round 2 funding, will be increased from $100 000 to $150 000.
People who have already received payments will have them topped up.

The level of payment available under Round 3 of the fund, which is assisting people with structural damage to their homes, will be increased. Round 3 assistance was previously calculated at 50 cents in the $1 based on repair quotes. The new payments for Round 3 will meet the full cost of the repair quote up to a maximum payment of $80 000.

A panel of Building Services Authority licensed builders will provide dedicated quotation services in a systematic way in areas of high demand where people are having difficulty obtaining quotes for repairs. If this service is used it will remove the need for the home owner to obtain two building quotes.

For more information about assistance visit www.qld.gov.au/disaster relief. For funding information and assistance, call 1800 173 349.  Queensland Health provides a 24 hour service for people affected by the natural disasters. Call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)