Updates

More emotional support available for people in disaster zones

A dedicated Lifeline Queensland phone support service has opened, to help Queenslanders impacted by the recent disaster in the state’s far north and south-east regions. Call 1800 116 671 for support.

The helpline will provide emotional support to people in the impacted regions, augmenting the psychosocial assistance already being provided through Community Recovery Hubs and other human and social services.

The Queensland Government has a dedicated team of Community Recovery staff processing personal hardship assistance grant applications from affected Queenslanders across these regions.

This team has been bolstered from 85 to 400 employees since 25 December 2023 to help payments get to people as quickly as possible. So far, more than $10.7M has been paid to Queenslanders affected by these events, benefitting 61,226 people.

Further information:

People can apply for personal hardship assistance scheme grants at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Up to date information about disaster support and recovery is available at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Once a grant application has been processed by Community Recovery, payments are made directly to the applicant’s bank account.

It may take up to five working days for the money to appear in the applicant’s bank account, depending on their bank’s processing time.

Community Recovery Hubs are now open in impacted local government areas. The locations and opening times are available at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.

Information about disaster support and recovery for culturally and linguistically diverse people is available in a range of languages here.

The Community Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for people to obtain information, support or assistance with grant applications.