Structural Assistance Grant
If you’re uninsured, or unable to claim insurance, you may be eligible for a one-off payment towards repairs to your home to make it secure and safe.
Grants of up to $10,905 for single adults and up to $14,685 for couples/families are available.
If you also receive the Emergent Assistance Grant and/or the Essential Household Contents Grant these amounts will be taken out of the grant payment.
Eligibility
To be eligible you must meet all these criteria:
- live in a disaster declared area where this grant is activated
- own or be the mortgagee of the home, caravan or boat
- been living in the home, caravan or boat at the time of the disaster (it was your primary place of residence)
- be uninsured or unable to claim insurance for the structural repairs
- meet the income and assets tests (below).
The grant is not available for repairs to investment properties, such as holiday houses or rental properties, or assets such as caravans and boats that are not used as primary places of residence.
Income test (how much you earn)
Your income must be less than:
- individual - $730 per week ($37,960 per year before tax) + $55 per dependant
- couple - $965 per week ($50,180 per year before tax) + $55 per dependant.
Reduced grants may be available if you earn up to $40 per week more than these amounts.
Assets test (what you own)
Your assets must be less than $6355.
If you are a pensioner your assets must be less than $26,005.
Your house (primary residence), your household contents, 1 motor vehicle and assets that produce an income are not included in these amounts.
Apply for the grant
To apply (when the grant is activated):
- Complete and sign the Applicant Information Form.
- Complete and sign the Structural Assistance Grant Form.
- Provide a driver licence, rates notice or electricity bill to confirm you own the dwelling and it is your principal place of residence.
- Meet the income and asset test requirements.
You can take the first steps in applying for the grant at a Community Recovery Centre, or phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to request a form.
Assessment process
If you’re eligible for a Structural Assistance Grant we will inspect your property to identify what is needed to make your home safe and habitable. This may also include an assessment of the essential services safety checks for reconnection of electricity, gas, water, sewage services and septic systems.
This information, including estimated costs, is sent to the Community Recovery Centre for review. Once the scope of works is approved you’ll be asked to sign a statutory declaration.
The grant will then be paid into the bank account nominated on your application form. A cheque can be issued where necessary. Once you receive the grant payment, you have 12 months to complete the repairs to your dwelling.
We’ll contact you regularly to see how your home repairs are progressing and if you need any more support.
If you need help to get quotes or contract repairers visit a Community Recovery Centre or phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349. We can provide a referral to the Queensland Building Services Authority.
Other assistance
You may be able to apply for other grants if your repair bills cost more than the amount of this grant.
If you can’t source the full amount of funds required to repair your home you can access financial counselling to help with budgeting and prioritising expenditure.
