Grant applications closing soon for Southeast Queenslanders impacted by storms at the end of 2023

Posted: Thursday 25 January 2024

Residents in the Gold Coast City local government area, and targeted localities in the Logan City and Scenic Rim Regional local government areas, have until 31 January 2024 to apply for two non-income tested grants:

Emergency Hardship Assistance – $180 per person, up to $900 for a family of five or more, to support immediate essential needs, such as food, clothing or medical supplies.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance – $150 per person, up to $750 for a family of five or more, to assist with immediate needs following the loss of essential services at home for more than five consecutive days.

Other income-tested grants are available, with applications open until December 2025:

Essential Household Contents Grant – up to $1,765 for individuals and up to $5,300 for couples or families to replace destroyed essential household contents, such as bed linen and white goods.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme Grant – up to $5,000 per household to help uninsured residents reconnect damaged services like electricity, gas and water.
Structural Assistance Grant – up to $50,000 for uninsured owner-occupiers towards the repair or replacement of a disaster-damaged dwelling to return it to a safe and habitable condition.

This financial support is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

People can apply for personal hardship assistance grants online at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp, or by visiting a Community Recovery Hub in their local area.

Community Recovery Hubs are a place where residents who are experiencing hardship can apply for grants and obtain emotional and wellbeing support. Visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp for up-to-date information about locations and opening times.

The Community Recovery Hotline (1800 173 349) is also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people to obtain information, support or assistance with grant applications.

Information about disaster support and recovery for culturally and linguistically diverse people is available in a range of languages at www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/resources-translations/disaster-information-language.

Free counselling and support are available through a dedicated Lifeline support line to assist the community and help people recover practically and emotionally following the recent weather events.

Anyone who requires emotional support or someone to talk to is urged to contact Lifeline on 1800 116 671 from 8am to 8pm daily.

After hours support is available by phoning Lifeline on 13 11 14. Visit www.lifelineqld.org.au/get-help/disaster-relief-and-community-recovery for more information.

SEQ Severe Thunderstorms 2023

Financial assistance is available for people who were affected by this event in these areas:

Gold Coast City Local Government Area – all areas
Logan City Local Government Area – targeted localities in:
- Bahrs Scrub
- Cedar Creek
- Cedar Grove
- Cedar Vale
- Eagleby
- Edens Landing
- Flagstone
- Glenlogan
- Holmview
- Jimboomba
- Kairabah
- Logan Village
- Mundoolun
- Riverbend
- South Maclean
- Stockleigh
- Tamborine
- Veresdale
- Veresdale Scrub
- Wolffdene
- Woodridge
- Woodhill
- Yarrabilba
Scenic Rim Regional Local Government Area – targeted localities in:
- Allenview
- Barney View
- Beaudesert
- Beechmont
- Benobble
- Biddaddaba
- Binna Burra
- Birnam
- Boyland
- Bromelton
- Cainbable
- Canungra
- Chinghee Creek
- Christmas Creek
- Cryna
- Darlington
- Ferny Glen
- Flying Fox
- Gleneagle
- Hillview
- Illinbah
- Innisplain
- Josephville
- Kagaru
- Kerry
- Knapp Creek
- Kooralbyn
- Lamington
- Laravale
- Mount Barney
- Mount Gipps
- Mount Lindesay
- Nindooinbah
- Oaky Creek
- O'Reilly
- Palen Creek
- Rathdowney
- Running Creek
- Sarabah
- Southern Lamington
- Tabooba
- Tabragalba
- Tamborine
- Tamborine Mountain
- Tamrookum
- Tamrookum Creek
- Undullah
- Veresdale
- Veresdale Scrub
- Witheren
- Wonglepong