Individuals and councils impacted by the flood events unfolding in NSW can now access the first tranche of NSW Government support through Service NSW.
Seventeen local government areas (LGAs) have been declared as disaster areas and are eligible for support through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
These areas are: Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie/Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, The Hills and Tweed.
Through www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance the following assistance is now available for those impacted by the floods:
Individuals
- A Disaster Relief Grant – to assist low income earners faced with disaster hardship who have suffered damage to the structure or contents of their home.
- Personal and financial counselling.
- Assistance finding temporary housing for those who have been forced from their homes.
Small business, primary production and not-for profit organisation support
- Small business recovery grants up to $50,000 for businesses that have suffered direct damage
- Primary producer recovery grants up to $75,000 for producers that have suffered direct damage
- Small business and primary producers concessional loans of up to $130,000
- Concessional interest rate loans for not-for-profits
- Freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent for primary producers
Councils
- Assistance with operational costs and the restoration of essential public assets.
Additionally, residents may be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Recovery Payment, a one-off, non-means tests payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods. Disaster Recovery Allowances are also available through the Federal Government via Services Australia at servicesaustralia.gov.au
Service NSW customer care specialists are also able to connect flood-affected customers with services and support information, including:
- Access to emergency accommodation;
- Relevant charitable services;
- Mental health and wellbeing services;
- Financial assistance;
- Insurance and legal advice; and
- Replacing lost ID.
For assistance please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au and via www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately
Support from your financial institution
Australia’s banks have announced options to defer loan repayments for up to 3 months for those customers affected by the flood disasters in NSW and Queensland.
Depending on your circumstances, assistance may also include:
- Waiving of fees and charges, including for early access to term deposits
- Debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable
- Restructuring existing loans free of the usual establishment fees
- Offering additional finance to help cover cash flow shortages
- Deferring upcoming credit card payments
- Emergency credit limit increases
