Businesses in flood-affected communities across the State are starting to benefit from much needed financial assistance with more than $3.9 million already approved through the February and March 2022 Storm Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business grant.
Service NSW CEO Damon Rees said the funds were critical to help businesses make repairs, buy new equipment and restock shops. Service NSW is urgently assessing grant applications to ensure funds are flowing to where they are most needed but the process is being hampered by fraudulent claims.
"Service NSW is currently processing around 400 applications each day and has assessed almost 4000 applications since applications opened on 9 March. We're working to fast-track the assessment process even further and expect to increase our capacity to 640 applications per day from next week," Mr Rees said.
"There are multiple checks and balances in place to ensure applications are properly reviewed and it is extremely disappointing to have already identified almost 200 cases of suspected fraud. Fraudulent applications take time away from our assessors and applicants who have genuine need."
It is a criminal offence to submit a fraudulent application, including falsified documentation. The maximum penalty for fraud is imprisonment for 10 years. Any application which is suspected to be fraudulent will be referred to NSW Police.
Mr Rees said Service NSW was also actively working with more than 2700 small business claimants which required
