Emergency Financial Support for people/businesses affected by the NSW Floods
Financial Support is available for the Individuals and Businesses impacted by the February-March 2022 Floods in NSW. Please see below available options to get more information on what support is available for you and how you can apply.
For Individuals - Australian Federal Government Disaster Recovery Payments and Disaster Recovery Allowance
For Individuals - NSW Government Disaster Relief Grant
For Small Businesses - NSW Government Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant
Further support information - Additional Financial Resources and information on the Support available
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Australian Federal Government payments
The following payments are available to people in NSW affected by the floods:
Disaster Recovery Payment – $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child if your home has been severely damaged or destroyed, or you've been seriously injured.
Disaster Recovery Allowance – short-term income assistance (up to 13 weeks) if you've lost income as a direct result of the floods.
Visit Services Australia or call 180 22 66 to find out if you're eligible.
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NSW Government Disaster Relief Grant
If your home or essential household items have been destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a Disaster Relief Grant.
The financial assistance is provided to help people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses.
You may be eligible for financial support if the following apply:
your home (primary place of residence) was damaged by a natural disaster
you do not have insurance for the damage
you are a low-income earner with limited financial resources
it has been less than 4 months since the disaster.
You may not be eligible if any of the following apply:
lack of maintenance has caused or impacted the damage, such as poor roof maintenance
the damage is cosmetic and not essential to living in a safe and habitable home.
Call 13 77 88 and ask about the disaster relief grant administered by Resilience NSW.
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NSW Government February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant, up to $50K
Small businesses and not-for-profit organisations that suffered direct damage as a result of the NSW storms and floods in February and March 2022, in a defined disaster area (AGRN 1012), may be eligible for a grant of up to $50,000 to help pay for costs of clean-up and reinstatement of operations.
Applications are open for businesses in local government areas (LGAs) initially declared disaster areas under AGRN 1012. They are Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glenn Innes Severn, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie/Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, The Hills and Tweed.
More information will be available soon for the additional LGAs that have subsequently been declared disaster areas under AGRN 1012.
For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Apply for the February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.
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Further support information
NSW Government Disaster Assistance Finder - Complete the online questionnaire to receive a personalised list of available programs and services. Find assistance now
Replacement ID, licences and personal documents - You will need to provide identification when applying for financial assistance. If these have been lost or damaged in the floods, you can apply for new documentation at Service NSW
Early access to superannuation - You may be able to access your superannuation early if you're experiencing financial hardship due to floods and severe weather. The NSW Government advises people to be wary of contact from unknown persons pretending to be from the Australian Tax Office or Services Australia and offering to help you release your super early. Do not provide any personal or financial information, and do not click on suspicious links that are sent to you. Visit Services Australia for more about early release of superannuation.
Additional financial resources - The Australian Banking Association has a list of contact details for banks providing help for customers affected by natural disaster. The National Debt Helpline offers free and confidential financial counselling and resources. You may be eligible for vehicle registration or licensing fee refunds or waivers at NSW Government natural disasters.
Visit Financial Assistance at Service NSW for a range of financial support options.