Based in Orange, NSW, we at pmwPlus are acutely aware of the devastation caused by the recent flooding across New South Wales and South Australia. Many of our clients have been affected, and we are here to support you in whichever way we can.

If you’re one of the people impacted by the November 2022 floods or are looking to help support a family member or friend, we’ve provided a snapshot of the financial assistance available and where you can go for further assistance.

What financial help is available for the November 2022 floods?

Living through a natural disaster is a frightening, unpredictable, and financially stressful time. Thankfully, the Australian Government has made several grants and disaster payments available to those who have been affected.

Small Business Grants

For businesses and not-for-profit organisations who have been impacted by the flooding disaster, there will soon be grants of $50,000 available to help rebuild. For business owners that operate within the disaster declaration zone, once they lodge their application with Services NSW, they can receive an upfront amount of $25,000 within a matter of days.

To learn more about the upcoming grants, including when they’re open to apply, keep your eye on the Service NSW website.

Disaster Recovery Payment

Services Australia is offering the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment as a lump sum payment to help eligible Aussies who have been seriously impacted as a direct result of the flooding throughout New South Wales.

Eligibility

Those living within the below local government areas (LGAs) are eligible to claim the Disaster Recovery Payment, provided they’re claiming for the first time and are an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa:

• Cabonne
• Cootamundra-Gundagai
• Dubbo
• Forbes
• Gunnedah
• Liverpool Plains
• Moree Plains
• Murray River
• Narrabri
• Parkes
• Snowy Valleys
• Upper Lachlan
• Wagga Wagga
• Walgett

How much is the payment?

Provided you’re eligible, you can receive up to $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than sixteen who’s been affected.

How to claim

You need to claim the disaster recovery payment directly with Services Australia.

Disaster relief grant

You might be eligible for a disaster relief grant if the natural disaster damaged or destroyed your essential household contents. The eligibility for this grant is if you’re a low income earner whose home or primary place of residence was affected by the recent flooding and you did not hold insurance.

If you or a loved one, such as an immediate family member, need financial assistance, we encourage you to use Service NSW’s disaster assistance finder.

What help is there for primary producers and rural landholders?

Orange is renowned for its rich pastoral land — land that is unfortunately ravaged by flood water in times like this. For primary producers and rural landholders, the below support is available from the Rural Assistance Authority:

Special Disaster Grant

With up to $25,000 upfront, and $75,000 available in total, the Special Disaster Assistance grant is designed to help primary producers with 50% income from primary production enterprise.

Source: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/storm-and-flood-programs/sdg-aug-sep-2022

Rural Landholders Grant

The rural landholders grant is designed to support landholders and oyster farmers who receive at least $20,000 in primary production income and do not qualify for support through any existing recovery programs. Eligible landholders and oyster farmers can access up to $25,000 through this grant.

Source: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/storm-and-flood-programs/RLG-june-22

Further flood assistance

There are a range of other services that are available to people impacted by the recent natural disaster.

• If you need to request a clean-up of flood debris from private land, you can request it through Service NSW.
• Service NSW can also help with replacing ID, licences and personal documents.
• Need emergency fodder for livestock? Email aasfa@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au to request assistance.

If you’ve been affected by the recent flooding disaster, a disaster recovery payment claim or other grants can go a long way to recovering from these floods. The team at pmwPlus send our thoughts to everyone in the Orange community at this trying time.