Your 3-Min Explainer On Disaster Relief Payments If The NSW Floods Have Fkd Your House Or Job

nsw flood disaster relief payment

In what feels like a cruel joke after all of the fires, floods and pandemic bullshit we’ve copped in the last year, New South Wales is now battling once in 100 year floods.

After days of torrential rain, much of New South Wales is underwater, or close to, with more areas being evacuated as the day goes on. So what are your options if you’re adversely impacted by the floods?

Large areas of the state were declared a natural disaster overnight, which now means that you could be eligible for a variety of different relief payments, depending on your circumstances.

If you’re in need of immediate assistance, please contact 000 or the SES on 132 500. These numbers are for emergency use only.

Who Can Get It?

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is available for anyone who has been affected by a major disaster, such as the New South Wales floods that we’re experiencing right now.

According to Services Australia, the payment is “not for minor damage or inconvenience”, but for anyone who has sustained major damage to their home or assets as a result of the floods.

For the purpose of the payment, a major asset is defined as one or more assets with a combined value of at least $20,000 that is located at your primary residence.

You can also claim for major property damage as a result of the disaster, such as structural damage or sewage contamination, however, this payment could only be claimed by the owner of the property (aka the person who has to fix it).

To be eligible for the payment, you:

• are an Australian resident or the holder of an eligible visa

• are 16 years of age or older or are receiving a social security payment

• have not already received an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment for the same major disaster, and

• have been affected by a major disaster.

You are considered to be affected by the disaster if you have been seriously injured, are the immediate family member of someone who died as a result of the disaster, your principal place of residence has been destroyed or sustained major damage, your major asset has or assets have been destroyed or sustained major damage, or you are the principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.

How Much Can I Get?

If you’re eligible for the payment, you will receive a flat payment of $1,000.

Which Local Government Areas Are Eligible?

To be eligible for the payment, you must reside in one of the local government areas outlined on the Services Australia website. You can view the full list here.

How Do I Claim?

To claim the disaster relief payment for the New South Wales floods, you must complete the form on the Services Australia website or call 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm daily.

What If I’m From New Zealand On A 444 Visa?

If you are a New Zealand citizen, you can apply for the Disaster Recovery Payment for New Zealand Special Category (Subclass 444) payment here.

What About Disaster Recovery Allowance?

You may also be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance payment if your source of income has been impacted by the New South Wales floods.

This is a short-term payment to help you if your income has been impacted by the floods. The amount is paid for a maximum of 13 weeks from the date that you first lost your income.

To be eligible, you:

  • were 16 or older at the time of the disaster
  • are an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
  • work or live in an affected Local Government Area (LGA)
  • lost income as a direct result of the disaster
  • earn less than the average weekly income in the weeks after you had this income loss.

If eligible, you will receive up to $1713.90 per week.

For more information on applying for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, you can view the Services Australia website here.

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