Commonwealth Assistance for people affected by Pinery bushfire in SA
29 Nov 2015
Media release Today Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and Minister for Justice the Hon Michael Keenan MP announced that both the Disaster Recovery Payment and the Disaster Recovery Allowance will be provided to eligible residents affected by the Pinery fires in South Australia.
People eligible for the Disaster Recovery Payment – those who have lost their homes or suffered injury as a result of the disaster – can access a one-off payment of $1000 per adult and $400 for each child.
People eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance. This assistance is designed to help employees, primary producers and sole traders recovering from the Pinery bushfire to get back on their feet.
Minister Pyne said the Commonwealth Government assistance announced today is over and above the support already being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, which were announced on Friday.
“This is a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones and those affected by the bushfire, which has had a devastating impact on our local communities,” said Mr Pyne.
“We want to thank our remarkable fire fighters and rescue crews for their dedication and selflessness during this emergency,” he said.
“This extra assistance announced today will help residents affected by these bushfires get back on their feet,” he said.
Minister Keenan said the assistance was in addition to what had already been announced on Friday with the South Australian State Government.
The thoughts of all Australians are with those who have been affected by the Pinery fire,” Mr Keenan said.
“The Commonwealth Government recognises the importance of maintaining the workforce in the disaster affected area and supporting longer term local and regional economic and community recovery,” he said.
Claims can be made online at www.humanservices.gov.au or by calling the Commonwealth Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm local time seven days a week.
Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Government Department of Human Services service centre.
Further information on Commonwealth Government assistance is available online at www.disasterassist.gov.au.