Joint media release with the Hon Bill Shorten MP and the Hon Steph Cooke MP
Federal and State government assistance is now available in another five New South Wales local government areas (LGA) affected by the ongoing flooding.
The LGAs are Eurobodalla, Inverell, Orange, Queanbeyan-Palerang and Wentworth.
These LGAs can now apply for:
- Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) - up to 13 weeks of Federal Government income support for employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.
Equivalent financial assistance is also available to eligible New Zealand citizens ('non-protected' Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders).
Claims open at 2pm on Monday 21 November 2022. People can find information about payment eligibility and how to apply on the Services Australia website.
The easiest way for people to claim is online through myGov. If people need additional support, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.
People impacted by the floods can also pause or change their Centrelink debt repayments using the Money you owe service online in either their Centrelink online account, or Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. Alternatively, they can call 1800 076 072.
- Assistance provided under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) - this Federal and State government funded program provides:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply);
- Support for local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; and
- Freight subsidies for primary producers.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To apply for a primary producer recovery assistance grant or concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit RAA NSW.
For information on all the assistance the Australian and respective state governments have made available to flood-affected individuals, businesses and councils throughout eastern Australia, visit NEMA.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt:
Today's announcement means this important payment for people who aren't able to work because of these terrible floods is now available in 75 NSW local government areas.
We aim to bring peace of mind by ensuring a regular cash flow for individuals whose income has been directly affected for the floods.
We've also worked with the NSW Government to provide support for additional local government areas under the DRFA, including for local councils who are facing major repair works.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten MP:
Providing assistance under these arrangements will continue to help those in New South Wales to face and overcome the challenges of these floods.
Services Australia staff are well-practiced at delivering effective and caring support during an emergency, and they continue to work hard to deliver these payments as quickly as possible.
I encourage people who have been impacted to visit the Services Australia website to check their eligibility for disaster payments, before they apply for the payment.
Quotes attributable to New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, the Hon Steph Cooke MP:
As the floodwaters continue to move downstream the number of communities impacted by flooding increases.
We are now in our 67th day of this flood event, and in this time 75 local government areas have been declared natural disaster zones.
We'll continue to work with the Commonwealth to assess the impacts of this flooding and provide further financial support to individuals, families, farmers and business owners.
