Residents affected by the recent flood events on the New South Wales Mid North Coast are set to receive financial assistance beginning this Friday. This aid is designed to provide much-needed relief to individuals and households facing disruptions caused by the severe weather.
The support will help cover basic expenses that have become urgent due to the floods, including necessities such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter.
According to reports from Sky News, this financial assistance forms part of a broader government effort to address the immediate impacts of flooding across affected communities in the region.
Personal Hardship Assistance Payments
The government will provide a one-time payment of $180 per individual and up to $900 per household under the personal hardship assistance program. This payment is a one-off aid designed to help cover essential costs such as food, clothing, and emergency accommodation.
The Albanese Government has extended financial aid to communities in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, severely impacted by recent floods.
From 2:00 pm local time on Wednesday, May 28, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) became available for residents in several Local Government Areas (LGAs), including Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Maitland, Mid Coast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, and Port Stephens.
The AGDRP offers a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child to those who experienced serious impacts such as major home damage, serious injury, or loss of a loved one due to flooding.
Extension of Disaster Recovery Allowance
Also from May 28, the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) was extended to more LGAs, including Armidale, Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter, and Walcha.
This extension adds to the LGAs already eligible for DRA, such as Dungog, Kempsey, Mid-Coast, and Port Macquarie-Hastings. The DRA provides up to 13 weeks of income support to workers and sole traders who have lost income directly because of the floods. Eligibility details and claims can be verified on the Services Australia website.
Additional Support and Claims Process
These payments complement the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements activated to assist households, small businesses, primary producers, and councils. The fastest way to claim is online through myGov.
Assistance is available via the Australian Government Emergency Information Line at 180 22 66. Affected individuals can also pause or modify Centrelink debt repayments online, via the mobile app, or by calling 1800 076 072.
Official Statements
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated:
In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians.
The heroes of the SES and other community volunteers – and neighbours looking out for each other.
We are standing with these communities during the disaster and recovery.
We are expanding our direct financial assistance to communities affected by the floods.
We will continue to supplement the response and early relief initiatives being led by the New South Wales and local governments.
Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher said:
The financial assistance we are rolling out across impacted communities will help locals to focus on recovery efforts and ease some pressure during these incredibly distressing circumstances.
Services Australia staff are working hard to ensure claims are processed as smoothly and as quickly as possible so that those impacted can access these essential supports.
I encourage people in the impacted areas to check their eligibility for payments on Services Australia’s website.
Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain added:
These flooding events has impacted communities across the region differently. We are working hand in hand with the New South Wales Government to roll out support for households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.
Today’s extension of the Disaster Recovery Allowance will help eligible workers who have had their employments impacted by these floods.
We know that this is still early days for the recovery, but we are here for the long haul and will continue working with all levels of government.
