New South Wales Floods - March 2009

The Australian Government will provide additional financial assistance to people still affected by the 2009 March and April floods in the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. A one-off, ex-gratia payment of $1,000 per household is available to people whose home, on or after 29 September 2009, still required repairs estimated to cost $1,000 or more. Applications for the one-off ex-gratia payment are available until 18 December 2009. Homeowners who may be eligible should call Centrelink on 180 22 55 or visit their local Centrelink office.

Eligibility

A one-off, ex-gratia payment of $1,000 per household is available to people who are yet to repair their home following the March and April flooding.

Claims for assistance can be lodged with Centrelink until 18 December 2009.

This payment will be provided to a nominated homeowner who can demonstrate that, on or after 29 September 2009, and as a direct result of the flooding in March and April 2009, their home still required repairs estimated to cost $1,000 or more.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

For the purposes of this Assistance a person will be eligible where he/she:

  • is 16 years of age or older, and
  • is an Australian resident, and
  • is the owner of a home, which on or after 29 September 2009, required repairs, estimated to cost $1,000 or more, as a direct result of the disaster, and
  • is the only person to receive this Assistance for that home.

Payments do not cover the following:

  • damage to yards, paddocks, gardens or fences; or
  • replacement of home contents.

People seeking to claim this assistance should call Centrelink hotline on 180 22 55, visit their local Centrelink office or visit the Centrelink website.

Media Release

Media Release: Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs - Payments for March flood victims.

Additional Assistance

Under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) assistance is being provided to those affected by the flooding through the New South Wales Government Department of Community Services on who can be contacted on 1800 018 444.