Disaster-affected in Electorate of Page urged to apply for income loss payment

Because an ABC North Coast Radio segement yesterday indicated the possibility that some Centrelink staff were incorrectly telling flood victims that they were ineligible for this benefit if they had a spouse/partner earning an income, I am posting Ms. Saffin’s media release of 14 January 2011 which very clearly sets out the criteria for assistance.

If you are unsure of the advice you have received to date, make a formal verbal or written application anyway and have your own particular circumstances assessed.

Disaster-affected in Electorate of Page urged to apply for income loss payment

Member for Page Janelle Saffin MP urges people in Page Electorate who have lost their incomes as a direct result of recent natural disaster to apply for the newly activated Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy following information provided by The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Human Services and Minister for Social Inclusion.

Employees, small business owners, and farmers affected by disasters between November 29 last year and January this year, now have until February 28 this year to lodge claims for income recovery.

“The subsidy applies to eligible people all 5 Local Government Areas in the Page Electorate,” Janelle Saffin said. These LGAs are Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley Kyogle and Clarence Valley.

“It is a fortnightly payment of up to the maximum rate of existing Newstart Allowance for a period of 13 weeks.”

“The subsidy will be available to those who have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of recent disasters and are not currently receiving, or eligible for, any other income support payment.”

You are eligible for the subsidy if you:

• are 16 years of age, or older, and are not a dependent child;
• are an Australian resident and living in Australia for the period of time you receive the assistance; or a foreign national living or working in Australia at the time of the disaster and for the period of time you receive the subsidy;
• derive an income from the area affected by the disaster, or reside in the area affected by the disaster; and
• have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster;
• can show evidence supporting the claimed loss of income within 28 days;
• are not currently (at the time of lodgement) receiving another income support payment or pension (such as Age Pension, Newstart Allowance, service pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or Exceptional Circumstances Income Relief Payment); and
• each member of a couple must qualify in their own right.

If you are eligible you will receive:

• $469.70 per fortnight for a single adult;
• $424.00 per fortnight per adult who is a member of a couple;
• $508.20 per fortnight for a single adult with a dependent child;
• $388.70 per fortnight for a person who is under 21 years of age.

Ms Saffin said claims can be made through the Emergency Assistance Hotline on 1802266, at Centrelink offices, or online at www.centrelink.gov.au

The subsidy is in addition to the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and the joint Commonwealth/Queensland Government payments being made under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.