NSW DPI AASFA Update

Rural Assistance Authority Natural Disaster Assistance 

1. Disaster Relief Loans 
2. Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy

More information and eligible Local Government Areas: www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance  

Other Financial Assistance: 

For information on all available disaster assistance, please contact the Disaster Customer Care Service at Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via www.service.nsw.gov.au  

Disaster Relief Grant: always-on assistance for eligible applicants in any emergency 

The Disaster Relief Grant helps 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 four (4) months since the disaster. 

Phone 13 77 88 and ask about the Disaster Relief Grant administered by Resilience NSW. 

This is an NSW Government disaster assistance payment available at any time to eligible individuals or households. 

Disaster Recovery Payment: $1,000 for adults and $400 for children 

The Disaster Recovery Payment is 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. 

This is an Australian Government disaster assistance payment. 

Visit Services Australia at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster to find out if you are eligible, or phone 180 22 66. 

Disaster Recovery Allowance: short-term income support for 13 weeks 

The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected as a direct result of the storms and floods, for up to 13 weeks. 

This is an Australian Government disaster assistance payment. 

Visit Services Australia at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster to find out if you are eligible, or phone 180 22 66. 

Farm Household Allowance 

The Farm Household Allowance (FHA) program provides assistance to farming families  experiencing financial hardship, no matter the cause of that hardship. 

The program provides eligible farmers and their partners with a package of assistance that includes: 

• up to four years of fortnightly income support (in every 10 year period) 
• ancillary allowances such as Pharmaceutical Allowance, Telephone Allowance, Rent Assistance and Remote Area Allowance 
• a professional financial assessment of the farm business (worth up to $1,500) 
• funding to help develop skills, access training and pay for professional advice (up to $10,000 and can now include reasonable travel and accommodation to undertake training) 
• regular support of a case manager. 

For further information: Farm Household Allowance - Department of Agriculture 

Donated items: 

GIVIT is the NSW Government lead charity in coordinating donated items.  

If you have been impacted by the floods and require donated goods or services, or wish to pledge donated goods, services or cash, please register using: 

GIVIT | The Smart Way To Give | givit.org.au | Give Now 

It is preferred that any donated items are pledged and can be matched to those in need and not place stress on local community groups who are busy responding to the disaster.  

Insurance catastrophe declared for parts of NSW 

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has activated its disaster hotline – 1800 734 621 to assist insurance policyholders if they are uncertain of their insurance details or have general enquiries. More information is available on Insurance & Disasters 

Road closures & travel advice 

Up to date information on the latest road closures and real-time traffic conditions are available at Live Traffic.  

State Emergency Services 

For the latest information on evacuation orders, go to SES.  

Looking after stock after a flood 

Information about stock health after a flood can be found here. You can access livestock advice from your Local Land Services (LLS) office, or through your local veterinarian. LLS can be contacted on 1300 795 299 

Looking after yourself and your family 

There are support services to assist you and your family during this difficult period. A full list of services can be found here. 

Here is a useful article about dealing with stress during natural disasters and a short video on avoiding recovery stress.