Australia to aid disaster-hit families

6 Oct 2009, 3:38 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Australian families affected by the Samoan tsunami or Sumatra quake are eligible for government assistance (AP)

Australian families affected by the Samoan tsunami or Sumatra quake are eligible for government assistance (AP)

Australians affected by the tsunami in Samoa or the earthquake in Sumatra will be eligible for cash assistance, the federal government says.

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Australians affected by the tsunami in Samoa or the earthquake in Sumatra will be eligible for cash assistance, the federal government says.

The aid would come from the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Funeral Assistance Payment schemes.

Payments will be available for the next six months through Centrelink, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday.

The assistance will provide $1,000 per adult and $400 per child to Australians who were seriously injured, or were eyewitnesses to the disasters, or whose immediate family members died or were injured in the Samoan tsunami or Sumatra earthquakes.

One-off cash payment

"In addition, a one-off payment of $5,000 will be available to one family member to assist with funeral costs and other related expenses," Mr Rudd said in a joint statement with Families Minister Jenny Macklin.

Centrelink social workers were available to help Australians affected by the devastating events when they arrived back home.

Those affected by the disasters will have access to crisis intervention, personal support, referral and practical assistance through Centrelink, Mr Rudd and Ms Macklin said.

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