Flood Support Services

Service NSW is coordinating a wide range of support for people impacted by the recent floods and storms.

Individuals and households

Disaster Recovery Payment

A one-off payment of $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. An additional two disaster payments for Lismore, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Ballina, Kyogle and Tweed Local Government Areas.

Disaster Relief Grant for Individuals

To help low-income earners with limited financial resources whose home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

Short-term income assistance of up to 13 weeks to help employees, small businesses and farmer who’ve lost income.

Housing support

Temporary emergency accommodation options include: 16 weeks rental support; temporary housing pods; mobile motor homes; recreation clubs; Red Cross housing brokerage service. If you're currently staying with family or friends and need longer term support call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or submit your details at service.nsw. gov.au/register-interest-floods-temporary-housing-support-package

Clean-up

Help to remove damaged household contents and other debris in and around the home by a dedicated clean-up task force.

Tarpaulin maintenance

Help to tighten and maintain tarpaulins that have been installed by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on damaged roofs.

Stamp duty relief for private vehicles

Stamp duty relief on the replacement of privately owned, insured motor vehicles that have been written off.

Call the Service NSW Hotline on 13 77 88, visit service.nsw.gov.au or visit the Ballina Recovery Centre where Service NSW staff are onsite to help.

Small Business

Disaster Recovery Grants for Small Business up to $50,000

To clear damaged goods, repair the premises, replace stock to reopen. nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-support-for-businesses

Concessional Interest rate loans up to $130,000

For small businesses who suffered direct damage to help resume normal trade to replace and repair any damage not covered by insurance.

Stamp duty relief for commercial vehicles

Stamp duty relief on the replacement of insured, commercial motor vehicles that have been written off.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

Income assistance of up to 13 weeks to help employees, small businesses and farmers who’ve lost income.

Call the Service NSW Hotline on 13 77 88, visit service.nsw.gov.au or visit the Ballina Recovery Centre where Service NSW staff are onsite to help.

Farmers

Primary Producer Grants

Primary producers impacted by NSW storms and floods may be eligible for special disaster grants to help them return to business as soon as possible. Primary producers affected by floods from February 2022 can apply for grants of up to $75,000. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more details on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au

Disaster Recovery Allowance

Income assistance of up to 13 weeks to help employees, small businesses and farmers who’ve lost income.

Animal and Live Stock Safety

Landholders can request emergency fodder for livestock, animal assessment, veterinary advice and if required, euthanasia and burial, by calling the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline, 1800 814 647.

For more detailed information about support available to farmers visit nsw.gov.au/floods/ support-for-farmersand-primary-producers

Red Cross Grants

The Australian Red Cross will provide support through two types of cash grants:

Relief Grant

$500 cash assistance for people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of flood impact to their primary place of residence.

Bereavement Grant

$20,000 cash assistance to support senior next-of-kin of those who died as a direct result of the floods with immediate needs (funeral and other related expenses).

Visit redcross.org.au/grants. If you do not have an email address, internet access or a device to connect with, please call Red Cross on 1800 733 276 or visit a local recovery centre for assistance.

Information for tenants, landlords and homeowners

You can call 13 32 20 for assistance, if you're:

a tenant or landlord whose rented property is affected by the floods

a homeowner with a complaint about tradespeople and their flood remediation home building work

impacted by flood related issues, such as cancelled accommodation, weddings and services.

Visit fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/floods-and-tenancy-rights

Telstra assistance package

Assistance for those who have lost telecommunications services.

Call 1800 888 888 or visit telstra.com.au

Mail redirection

Free mail redirection for 12 months for people impacted by the recent storms and floods.

Call 13 13 18 or visit auspost.com.au or call into your local Post Office.

Orange Sky Laundry

Orange Sky Laundry has been providing free laundry services, and in some locations, warm showers, across the Northern Rivers.

To find out where they’ll be operating, head to the 'Find a Shift' page and search 'CRS' (Community Recovery Support) at orangesky.org.au

BizRebuild Vouchers

BizRebuild is a business-led initiative, developed by the Business Council of Australia, to provide practical and on the ground assistance to small and local businesses impacted by the floods. Available vouchers:

Retooling voucher

($2,000 incl gst) to get the business back up and running.

Business Advisory voucher

($500 incl gst) for services such as legal, accounting, marketing/web development, IT, financial planning.

Enquire and apply at bca.awardsplatform.com

Mental health support

Floods can affect everyone in the community, not only people directly dealing with loss of property or possessions. If you feel in need of mental health support, there are services ready to help you through the difficult times.

Help in a crisis

If you require immediate 24/7 help contact:

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline 13 11 14

MensLine 1300 78 99 78

Lifeline Text 0477 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (children under 12 years)

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

In an emergency, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Mental health support

Connect To Wellbeing North Coast 1300 160 339

Call Connect to Wellbeing and be directed to the right information or service that best suits your needs, including referral to telehealth services (up to 10 free telepsychology sessions).

Service hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm

24/7 GP telehealth

Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth service 1800 931 158

Free GP consultations for flood-affected communities. Phone or video, 24 hours/7 days.

Self care

1. Recognise that you’ve been through a distressing time. Don’t get angry with yourself for being upset.

2. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel.

3. Don’t suppress your feelings – share them with people you trust when you are ready to do so.

4. Rest if you’re tired. Physical exercise is also important.

5. Let friends and family know of your needs – when you feel tired, need time out, want to talk or be with someone.

Download self-care resources at beyondblue. com.au/the-facts/looking-after-yourselfafter-a-disaster

Remember! Doing things that you enjoy in times of stress is not a luxury – it’s essential to manage your wellbeing.