Centrelink assistance flows to businesses

Queensland Media Release
Tuesday, 04 April 2006

Centrelink staff are now focusing on ensuring businesses affected by Cyclone Larry are aware of assistance, with many owners too busy getting themselves back up and running to ask for help.

Centrelink spokesman Ken Wilson said the numbers of people coming in to Recovery Centres to claim ex-gratia assistance are starting to lessen.

“This has given staff the opportunity to door-knock to businesses and make sure they’re aware of assistance, such as grants and excise relief,” Ken said.

“Many business owners are understandably pre-occupied with getting things going again, which is why we’re making the effort to get out to them.

“In many cases, staff are revisiting businesses to collect forms and process claims.

“Centrelink has now paid out in excess of $50 million in emergency assistance to people affected by Cyclone Larry.

“Centrelink’s Tropical Cyclone Larry Relief Hotline continues to run hot with more than 20,000 calls taken as of last night.

“We’ll have staff on the ground in several communities to answer questions from farmers, residents and local businesses about Australian Government relief assistance and services.”

Centrelink staff will be available tomorrow (Wednesday 5 April) in the following Centrelink offices and community recovery centres:

To help streamline the claim process for farmers and business, staff will also be visiting a number of locations tomorrow to offer one-on-one assistance:

• Babinda Canegrowers Office
• Dairyfarmers office, Malanda
• Innisfail Canegrowers office, Cnr Grace and Rankin Streets, Innisfail

Special phone lodgement facilities will also continue for Centrelink customers in Innisfail, Mareeba and the Atherton region who would normally have to come into a Centrelink office to lodge a form in order to receive their regular payment. Phone lodgement and general enquires are encouraged on Centrelink’s regular call centre numbers.

Centrelink’s Tropical Cyclone Larry Relief Hotline (180 2002) remains open seven days a week between 7 am and 9 pm.

Customers can also refer to the Centrelink website for more information.

For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.