Special Centrelink arrangements for storm-affected South East Queensland customers
Queensland Media Release
Thursday, 20 November 2008
General Manager, Hank Jongen today announced Centrelink customers living in areas affected by the recent storms who are due to lodge Continuation of Payment forms this week can do so over the telephone.
"People living in some areas of the Moreton Bay Shire Council and north-western suburbs of Brisbane City Council can lodge their fortnightly forms over the phone," Mr Jongen said.
"The arrangements are in place because people in these storm-affected communities may continue to find it difficult to travel to their local Centrelink office."
Customers who live in Ferny Hills, Ferny Grove, Arana Hills, The Gap, Narangba, Burpengary, Beaudesert, Mt Tamborine, Keperra, Mt Coot-tha, Morayfield, McDowall, Wonglepong, Samford, Canungra, Lowood, Coominya, Laidley, Forest Hill, Rosewood, Boonah, Aratula, Toogoolawah, Esk, Harrisville, Fernvale and Marburgh can lodge forms by telephone today and tomorrow.
These customers can call Centrelink on the following numbers:
- Employment Services - 13 2850
- Youth and Students - 13 2490
- Family Payments - 13 6150
- Retirement - 13 2300
- Disability, Sickness & Carers - 13 2717
"We’re continuing to assess the situation in conjunction with local authorities and we’ll provide further advice if these arrangements are to be extended beyond this week," Mr Jongen said.
More than $40,000 has already been paid in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments for people affected by the storms across South East Queensland.
Mr Jongen said the payments of $1,000 for each adult and $400 for each child are available to people who were seriously injured, and were admitted to hospital for treatment for a period of 48 hours or more, or whose principal place of residence has been destroyed, or damaged as a direct result of the storms that began on 16 November.
"People seeking assistance should contact the Australian Government’s South East Queensland Storms Hotline on 180 2266, which is available 24 hours a day, or visit their local Centrelink office or Centrelink staff at the Ashgrove Recovery Centre," Mr Jongen said.
"We’ll continue to work closely with the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and community organisations to make sure those in need are getting quick access to financial and emotional support."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.
