Joint media release with Bill Shorten MP and Jaclyn Symes MP
Extra flood support will be provided to Victorians, to help recover from the October floods.
Another 4 local government areas (LGAs), and 1 Alpine resort area are now eligible for a range of Commonwealth and Victorian Government funding.
Communities in Baw Baw Shire, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Nillumbik Shire, Surf Coast Shire and the Alpine Resort area of Falls Creek can now apply for:
- Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) - up to 13 weeks of federal income support for employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster. Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens ('non-protected' Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.
- Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) - a Commonwealth and Victorian government funded program that provides a range of hardship grants, council clean up assistance and support for primary producers like freight subsidies and concessional loans of up to $250,000.
Residents in the Moira Shire area are now also eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) - a one-off, non-means tested of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Moira Shire was already eligible for DRA and DRFA.
Both AGDRP and DRA are now available to claim through Services Australia.
More information about the Disaster Recovery Allowance and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is available at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents.
Primary producers should visit the Rural Finance website for more information at https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/victorian-floods-october-2022-primary-producer-support.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt: Different regions are at different stages of response and recovery, and we are constantly monitoring and assessing the situation to make sure help is getting to where it's needed.
Flood recovery can take a long time and we are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Victorian Government and local councils in supporting the clean-up efforts.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten, in relation to AGDRP and DRA: The floods have taken a devastating toll on the Victorian community, and we are ensuring vital financial support is available for those impacted.
Services Australia staff are working hard to process claims as quickly as possible.
People can check their eligibility for the Disaster Recovery Allowance and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents.
The easiest way to claim is online through myGov. If people need additional support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes: These are incredibly challenging times for so many Victorian communities and we will continue to support them every step of the way.
We continue to listen and learn from locals affected by the floods - not just about what they've been through and what they need right now, but about their priorities for the future. That's what a community-led recovery is all about.
Local councils play a vital role in recovery which is why we're working with the Commonwealth Government to ensure councils have the support they need to help communities get back on their feet.
