Anne Webster MP - Assistance for victims of the Victorian floods

Issues

October 19, 2022

Assistance for victims of the Victorian floods

Personal Assistance Payment – joint Federal-State program

Emergency financial assistance is available for community members whose homes have been impacted by the current flood emergency in Victoria.

Emergency relief assistance payments are available to people whose homes are inaccessible, damaged or destroyed and are unhabitable.

A one-off payment per event is provided to help meet immediate relief needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, medication and accommodation. Payments are needs tested, not income tested.

(Payments of up to $580 per adult and $290 per child (up to a maximum of $2030 per eligible family) are available).

How to apply

If you think you may be eligible for an emergency relief payment, complete the online application form. Applications are assessed and determined if you are eligible for a one-off payment.

Victorians impacted by the October 2022 floods can call the Flood Recovery Hotline (1800 560 760, 7.30am-7.30pm everyday) for help or assistance with:

navigating available supports
mental health and wellbeing support

Eligibility:

Emergency relief assistance payments are available for seven days after an emergency event to assist you if you have suffered hardship, or are likely to suffer hardship, as a result of an emergency.

Payments are available for anyone in the 46 nominated councils – more are being added every day, so anyone impacted, regardless of where they live, should apply or call 1800 560 760.

Appeals:

If your application is unsuccessful and you believe the decision is incorrect or unfair, you can appeal and seek a review of the decision.

How are payments made:

If eligible, you will receive these payments via direct deposit within three to five business days. Other payment methods may be available on request.

Emergency Re-establishment Assistance Payments – joint Federal-State program

This assistance is available to households of limited financial means, whose principal place of residence is uninhabitable or is inaccessible.

The total maximum emergency re-establishment payment is $42,250 per household.

The assistance will be available for clean-up, emergency accommodation, repairs, rebuilding (a principal place of residence), and replacing some damaged contents.

The purpose of these payments is to assist people in the community who do not have the financial means to re-establish their lives after a disaster.

How to apply

If you think you may be eligible contact 1800 560 760. Applications are more thorough and assessments may take up to a couple of weeks – calling the number is the best port of call.

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) – Commonwealth only program

The Australian Government’s disaster recovery allowance is available until 3 May 2023 in the following Local Government Areas:

Alpine
Ararat
Ballarat
Banyule
Baw Baw
Benalla
Boroondara
Brimbank
Buloke
Campaspe
Central Goldfields
Colac Otway
Corangamite
Gannawarra
Glenelg
Golden Plains
Greater Bendigo
Greater Geelong
Greater Shepparton
Hepburn
Horsham
Hume
Indigo
Loddon
Macedon Ranges
Manningham
Mansfield
Maribyrnong
Melbourne
Mitchell
Mildura
Moira
Moonee Valley
Moorabool
Mornington Peninsula
Mount Alexander
Moyne
Murrindindi
Northern Grampians
Nillumbik
Pyrenees
Strathbogie
Surf Coast
Swan Hill
Wangaratta
Warrnambool
Whittlesea
Wodonga
Wyndham
Yarra Ranges
Yarriambiack
West Wimmera (from 2:00pm Tuesday 29 November)

The disaster recovery allowance has been made available to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. DRA is taxable.

Information about the payments, including all eligible local government areas is available at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) – Commonwealth only

In addition, the one-off, non-means tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery payment of $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for children is available to people who live in the following LGAs until 27 April 2023:

Benalla
Boroondara
Buloke
Campaspe
Central Goldfields
Corangamite
Gannawarra
Golden Plains
Greater Bendigo
Greater Shepparton
Hepburn
Loddon
Macedon Ranges
Maribyrnong
Melbourne
Mitchell
Mildura (from 2:00pm Tuesday 29 November)
Moira
Moonee Valley
Mount Alexander
Murrindindi
Northern Grampians
Pyrenees
Strathbogie
Wangaratta
Yarra

Additional LGAs are being included as NEMA understands impacts.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available for eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.

Information about the payments, including all eligible local government areas is available at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents

Support for businesses

The Australian and Victorian Governments have announced an $877 million Recovery Support package, supporting businesses, farmers, and not-for-profits to rebuild and return to trade as quickly as possible, following the recent devastating floods.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations to support recovery efforts including rebuilding damaged infrastructure and replacing damaged assets.
To help businesses navigate through the recovery period, more than $22 million has been made available for support services to facilitate the development of recovery plans, provide mental health support and assist in grant applications.
In addition, Business Chamber and Trader Groups Programs will be established to enable locally led solutions for business activation.
Recovery grants of up to $200,000 will also be available for medium and large businesses directly impacted by the floods.
To assist primary producers and rural landholders, grants of up to $75,000 will be available as part of a recovery support package – complementing the existing Primary Producer Concessional Loan Program which commenced in October 2022.
The Primary Producer Recovery Support package will accelerate agricultural recovery and ensure rural and regional Victorians have access to expert advice and support.
Sporting and recreational clubs that have been impacted by the floods will also be eligible for a $5000 to assist them with their recovery.
Any grant received through the existing $5,000 Small Business Immediate Flood Relief and $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Relief programs will be included in the maximum amounts available through the recovery grants.
To find out more about accessing these programs visit vic.gov.au/2022-flood-recovery
For support with payments, clean-up or any other flood issues, Victorians can contact the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au

Victorian Government Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program

A one-off payment of $5000 for eligible businesses directly impacted by the recent floods in Victoria, to assist with costs such as clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, the hiring of equipment and purchase of stock. To be eligible for a grant, businesses must:

be located within a local government area deemed eligible for assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement
hold an active Australian business number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 14 October 2022
be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 14 October 2022
have incurred significant direct damage from flooding to the place of business, business assets, stock or equipment.

Financial support for flood-affected farmers

A support package is available for flood-affected farmers:

Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to cover the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again.
Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to cover the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.
Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover the short-term business expenses.
Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.For more information go to: ruralfinance.com.au

Anyone with urgent animal welfare issues should contact Agriculture Victoria on 1800 226 226.

Community Sport Emergency Flood Assistance Program

A one-off payment of $5000 for immediate relief to sport and active recreation organisations in eligible local government areas to assist in the replacement of items that have been lost, damaged or destroyed in the recent Victorian floods.

For full details including eligibility criteria, application guidelines and to how apply visit Business Victoria.

Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants

A grant of up to $50,000 for eligible businesses, not-for-profit and community sport and active recreation organisations directly affected by the recent floods in Victoria, to cover expenses resulting from significant direct damage to an applicant’s property, assets, stock or equipment.

Eligible businesses and organisations must be located within a local government area (LGA) declared under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement.

Full details and eligibility criteria will be included in the grant application guidelines when the program opens.