If you have a myGov account that’s linked to Centrelink, sign in and start your claim now.
If you don’t have these set up, you’ll need to follow these steps.
Steps to claim Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
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1. Get ready to claim
The easiest way for Australian residents to claim is online. If you’re a protected visa holder, you’re considered to be an Australian resident and can claim online.
To claim online, you need a myGov account linked to Centrelink.
If you don’t have a myGov account, you’ll need to set it up online.
If your myGov account isn’t linked to Centrelink, you can prove who you are through myGov to link Centrelink.
If you need help claiming you can call us on the Emergency information line. If you have a nominee, they must call the Emergency information line to claim on your behalf.
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2. Link Centrelink to your myGov account
Sign into myGov and select View and link services, then select Centrelink to link it to your myGov account. How you do this will depend on if you’ve claimed a payment from us before.
If you’ve claimed a payment before
If you’ve claimed a payment before, you can use your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) to link Centrelink to myGov. You’ll also need to answer some personal questions.
If you don’t know your CRN or can’t answer the personal questions using your CRN, select No to Do you have or know your CRN?.
You’ll need to prove your identity online, using myGov. Follow the same instructions for ‘If you haven’t claimed a payment before’.
If you haven’t claimed a payment before
If you haven’t claimed a payment from us before, you’ll need to prove your identity online using myGov.
You’ll need to enter some personal information and details from 2 acceptable identity documents and your Medicare card. Once you prove your identity, we’ll link Centrelink to your myGov account.
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3. Make your claim
Now your accounts are set up, sign in and start your claim.
Then follow these steps:
- Select Centrelink.
- Select Payments and claims from the menu, then Claims, then Make a claim.
- Select Help in an emergency.
- Select Apply for Disaster Recovery Payment and answer the eligibility and claim questions.
- Submit your claim.
Our Centrelink online account guide on how to Claim the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment will step you through this process in more detail.
Phone us
Contact numbers available on this page.
Emergency information line
Call this line if you’re affected by a natural disaster or COVID-19 and need help to claim a payment.
There are other ways you may want to contact us.