Immediate financial support has been made available to those hit by the northern New South Wales bushfires.
Assistance is being provided through the activation of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and the Disaster Recovery Allowance.
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Disaster Recovery Payment would immediately put cash into the pockets of those in need.
“This provides $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The payment is available to people whose homes has been severely damaged or destroyed, who have been seriously injured or who have lost a family member in the fires.
“This is cash in the hand to give families dignity and help them recover from the fires.
“The payment is available in the Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Walcha local government areas.
“We’ve also activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance providing eligible applicants up to 13 weeks income support.
“The DRA is for people who have lost their income as a direct result of the fires.
“The Allowance is available in Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Mid-Coast, Nambucca and Port Macquarie-Hastings local council areas.
“The extension of both programmes is over and above the support being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“These fires have taken lives, destroyed homes and devastated local communities.
“We are committed to helping communities recover by making sure they have the support they need.
“We’ll provide further support once further assessments are made by NSW.”
“Both payments are available from midday today and I urge anyone adversely affected by the fires to call the Department of Human Services to check their eligibility.”
In NSW, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is now available in 10 Local Government Areas and the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available in 14 LGAs.
For more information or to make a claim visit www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or call 180 22 66.
More information on disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au.