Individuals and councils that are impacted by the flood events unfolding throughout NSW can now access the first tranche of NSW Government support through Service NSW.
Since February 22, 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been declared as disaster areas due to flash floods and high-speed winds.
The first round of immediate support is now available to assist as some areas in starting their recovery.
Through Service NSW’s Financial Assistance website, 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 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 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.
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.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said Service NSW was ready to support anyone needing flood assistance.
“The scale of these floods is unprecedented and right now, we are still in emergency and response mode. This is the immediate assistance available that has been unlocked by the NSW Government as part of the disaster declarations,” he said.
“This is the start of our support measures and there will be more announced in the coming days.”
The seventeen LGAs that have been declared as disaster areas are eligible for support through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Meanwhile, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello encouraged people in need of help to contact Service NSW straight away.
“The phone lines are staffed, and the information is available – please call 13 77 88 if you need help to find the support you require and assistance you can access,” he said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the danger is far from over for many communities across NSW.
“While we are still in the emergency phase, recovery is a process that must start as soon as it possibly can,” Minister Cooke said.
“The provision of this assistance will ensure we can get people and communities back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
Source: NSW Government Media Release