Following a disaster, people often feel distressed and under extreme pressure. That’s why it’s important for us to make the claiming process as easy as possible for them.
In January 2022, we introduced online claiming for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
Online claiming streamlines the process for customers and removes the need for paper claim forms. It also reduces claim processing time and minimises the impact on our phone lines.
The ability to claim online means that customers can make a claim at a time and place that is convenient to them. This flexibility is especially important to people following a disaster.
Since claims for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment opened on 11 January 2022, the agency has received more than 97% of claims online. More than 8,000 eligible claims have been granted, delivering over $9.8 million to Australians affected by the Queensland floods.
We are continuing to develop and refine online claims for disaster payments, so customers can access support quickly.