Joint media release with the Hon Katy Gallagher
The Albanese Government is extending the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) to more communities impacted by the recent severe rainfall and flooding event in the New South Wales Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.
From 2:00pm local time on Wednesday 4 June, the AGDRP will be available for people in the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA).
This is in addition to those who can already claim the AGDRP in the Bellingen, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid- Coast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Port Stephens LGAs.
AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of severe weather. It's a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.
People can check their eligibility for AGDRP on the Services Australia website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport.
The quickest way to claim is online through myGov.
If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, Katy Gallagher:
"The AGDRP is a payment designed to be used for the recovery costs those individuals and families who have been worst impacted are facing to help them get them through tough times.
"The staff at Services Australia are continuing to work hard both behind the scenes and on the ground to ensure those who have made a claim receive support as quickly as possible.
"People in the impacted areas can check what assistance they may be eligible for by going to the Services Australia website."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
"As the clean-up effort continues, we are getting a better picture of the widespread damage these devastating floods have caused and a greater understanding of what communities need to continue their recovery.
"We understand that recovery is not be an easy process for many, but our Government is continuing to listen to the needs of the community and provide our support where we can.
"Expanding access to the AGDRP is one of the ways we're doing this, and we will stand with those affected through to the long term."
