Flood Funding and Assistance Available

This page provides information about support and State and Federal funding available for our residents impacted by the ongoing flood event.

Evacuation

• For latest evacuation warnings and information, visit the NSW State Emergency Service website, or call 132 500.
• The NSW State Emergency Service has prepared factsheets on what to do when an Evacuation Warning is issued and when an Evacuation Order is issued.

Financial support - for people

• NSW Government offers a range of grants and payments for people affected by the floods. Click here for guidance.

• Service NSW provides an overview of financial assistance  available to people impacted by the floods, and a Disaster Assistance Finder  to help people find the assistance they are eligible for. Call Service NSW 13 77 88, 7am - 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9am - 5pm on weekends and public holidays.
• Storm and flood customer care service  is Service NSW's landing page for updates on various assistance available for people and businesses affected by severe storms and floods.
• Services Australia offers a one-off Crisis Payment for those already receiving payments from Centrelink. It is half of your fortnightly payment. There is also a Crisis Payment for Other Extreme Circumstances.
• Services Australia also offers payments and help for people directly affected by bushfires, floods or other natural disasters.
• NSW Government Disaster Relief Grants  are available for eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household contents have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster and are uninsured. Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 and ask about the Disaster Relief Grant administered by Resilience NSW.
• Families receiving a Child Care Subsidy may be eligible for an Additional Child Care Subsidy  due to temporary financial hardship.
• The Australian Taxation Office  will assist people affected by floods, for example by deferring tax lodgment or debt payment, helping with lost tax file numbers or records, or remitting any penalties or interest during the time you have been affected. Call the ATO Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218 for assistance.
• The Australian Banking Association has a list of member banks providing customers with emergency assistance for floods.  
• The National Debt Helpline  provides free assistance to those in financial difficulty as a result of the flood crisis. Call 1800 007 007, 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
• Revenue NSW  assists people impacted by the floods by placing a hold on all fines, debt, and Work and Development Orders, extending payment deadlines and lifting driving sanctions. Call 1300 138 118.

Financial support - for organisations

• Find a government initiative, grant or funding program to help support your business, project or your community here. 
• NSW Government offers grants, loans, and financial assistance to businesses affected by the flood. Click here for guidance.
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisations affected by floods since 22nd February can apply for the 2022 East Coast Floods Emergency Response Grant Program to get up to $20,000.
• An overview of grants and support available to businesses and not-for-profit organisations is available from the NSW Government. Covering grants, loans, legal support. Or contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
• Disaster Recovery Grants of up to $50,000 are available from the NSW Government for not-for-profit organisations impacted by the floods to help pay for clean-up and restarting operations - eligibility conditions apply. See here for details and how to apply.
• Small businesses and Not-For-Profit organisations impacted by the June and July floods can apply for the June and July 2022 storm and flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant to receive up to $50,000.
• The Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative  grant funding improves access to programs and resources to help children and young people recover, build resilience, strengthen community networks and improve mental health and wellbeing. The funding can be used to deliver a range of activities including community events, peer support programs, mental health training and more. Includes small grants under $10,000 and larger grants $10,000 to $50,000.
• The NSW Rural Assistance Authority is providing low interest rate loans to non-profit organisations, primary producers, small businesses and sporting and recreation clubs in local government areas affected by a declared natural disaster. Apply online here by the closing date for your area.
• The NSW Rural Assistance Authority is providing transport subsidies for eligible farmers affected by natural disasters, to assist with the cost of transporting stock, fodder and water. Apply online here by the closing date for your area.
• Resilience NSW and the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal regularly offer grants to support local disaster recovery programs and initiatives. Follow their websites and social media for updates.

• Resilience NSW provides information on disaster response and recovery  arrangements and how community organisations can be involved.

• The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience’s (AIDR’s) Flood recovery resources  page brings together a comprehensive collection of key guidance material, research, information, and useful tools to support communities recovering from major flooding events. 

• NCOSS and the NSW Mental Health Commission have produced a Guides and Workbook for community-based organisations identify the roles they contribute to disaster recovery and resilience in their community: Planning and preparing for community-led disaster recovery: A guide for local organisations, Workbook for community-based organisations .

Flood health and safety information

• NSW Health has prepared a range of resources on maintaining health during and after floods , including what to do about cleaning up after a flood, drinking water, mosquito control and managing your medications.
• For NSW Health information on mosquito-borne diseases.
• Flood clean up  and waste removal advice and information from the NSW Government, including staying safe, avoiding risks, dealing with animals and waste removal.

• State Emergency Service (SES) have created an SES Recovery guide from floods and storms . See more information from the SES below:

• • Returning to your property after a flood
  • Clean up after a flood
  • Know your risk
• Australian Red Cross provides advice and resources on Cleaning up after a disaster.

Pets and livestock

• The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services assist landholders and communities with animal welfare-related issues, including veterinary assistance, emergency fodder and stock water, stock euthanasia and burial, and care of animals in evacuation centres.
• Contact RSPCA for assistance with pets, livestock (including horses), and wildlife on 1300 278 358.
• Flood affected landholders and animal owners who require assistance with stock or animal welfare can contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 (operating 7 days, 8am to 6pm). Call to request emergency fodder for livestock, animal assessment, veterinary advice and if required, euthanasia and burial of animals.

Mental health support

• The NSW Government Free training and coaching provides links to free, easy-to-do programs you can use to support mental health in your workplace.
• The NSW Rural Adversity Mental Health Program  links people to appropriate mental health support in their area. Local RAMHP Coordinators are working to identify and link people in need of extra support.
• The NSW Mental Health Line provides links to mental health services on 1800 011 511.
• Lifeline 13 11 14, is available to listen and support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Phone, SMS and online chat is available.
• Beyond Blue has developed an online resource on looking after your mental health after a disaster.
• Australian Red Cross provides resources on looking after yourself after a disaster.
• Headspace provides information for family and friends supporting young people affected by a natural disaster.

Legal support

• Legal Aid NSW Disaster Response Legal Service

Anyone affected by a disaster can get free help by contacting the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW helpline on 1800 801 529 (9am to 5pm weekdays) or by visiting their website. 

Disasters...what's law got to do with it? (for the public) - YouTube