Australian Government disaster payments are now available to eligible residents in five additional local government areas (LGAs) affected by the severe storms and flooding that continue to impact large areas of New South Wales.
The additional LGAs are Kempsey, Narromine, Oberon, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Strathfield, bringing the total number of eligible LGAs to 42.
The one-off Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people who live in those LGAs and who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is a non-means tested, tax-exempt payment.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance has also been made available to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a taxable, fortnightly payment.
Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.
Residents can claim support through myGov. Anyone needing assistance in claiming should contact the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
The Australian Government Emergency Information Line is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
More information about the payments, including all eligible local government areas is available at Natural disaster - Services Australia.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency .
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance is now available in the 42 local government areas as a result of this flooding event: Bayside, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Cumberland, Dungog, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Liverpool, Maitland, Mid Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Narromine, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Oberon, Penrith, Port Macquarie Hastings, Port Stephens, Randwick, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Strathfield, Sutherland, The Hills, Upper Lachlan, Warren, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.
Quote attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten MP
“Services Australia staff have been working quickly to ensure people can access essential disaster assistance.
“To date, one million flood claims have been completed and 1.2 million Australians, adults and children, have been supported.
“The support isn’t just financial. Specialist staff including social workers, Indigenous and Multicultural Service Officers and Farm Household Case Officers are providing tailored assistance.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt
“With a natural disaster as extensive as this, and with people going through consecutive large floods, recovery will take time.
“We recognise the mental fatigue and financial strain this causes and our top priority remains making support available for those who need it as quickly and simply as possible.”