Disaster funding has been approved for 37 local government areas in New South Wales as the flood crisis to hit the coast continues.
That means residents of these areas will be eligible for a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child.
Here's what we know about the payments.
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Which LGAs are eligible for disaster funding?
The LGAs are:
- Bayside
- Blacktown
- Blue Mountains
- Camden
- Canterbury Bankstown
- Campbelltown
- Central Coast
- Cessnock
- Dungog
- Fairfield
- Georges River
- Hawkesbury
- Hornsby
- Kiama
- Lake Macquarie
- Lithgow
- Liverpool
- Maitland
- Northern Beaches
- Penrith
- Shellharbour
- Shoalhaven
- Singleton
- Sutherland
- The Hills
- Upper Lachlan
- Wingecarribee
- Wollondilly
- Wollongong
- Cumberland
- Mid Coast
- Muswellbrook
- Nambucca
- Newcastle
- Port Stephens
- Randwick
- Warren
Residents in 37 local government areas are now eligible for the flood disaster payments for the recent weather event.
Who is eligible for the flood recovery payments?
A flood recovery payment is a lump sum of $1000 per eligible adult or $400 for each eligible child.
To be eligible, you must live in one of the listed LGAs and have been substantially affected by the flooding.
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If you are the immediate family member of a person who has died or is missing in the floods, you are eligible.
If you were seriously injured by the flood, you can also get the cash payment.
If the flood caused major damage to your home or a major asset at your home – such as cars, caravan or machinery – you are eligible.
How do people apply for their payments?
People can apply for the payments via the Services Australia website.
It's recommended that people apply via their myGov accounts – but clearly many will be without phone or internet access.
If you need in-person support to make your claim, Services Australia has set up a number of service centres in flood-hit regions, which you can search here.
When will people get their payments?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said payments will be made to bank accounts "as soon as possible".
Recipients have not been given a deadline or a timeline as to exactly when they will receive the payment.
How badly does a home need to be damaged to get a payment?
Minor water damage is not enough to be eligible for a disaster recovery payment.
Major damage includes if the home is destroyed or needs to be demolished, if the interior has been exposed to the elements or if it is declared structurally unsound.
If sewage has gotten inside your home, you are also eligible.
If the flooding has caused major damage to your flooding or furniture, electrical items or metal elements in the home that requires replacing, you are also eligible.
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Who can claim the payments?
Couples are both eligible to claim disaster support payments if they have both been affected.
Two claims need to be made.
You can also claim on behalf of a dependent child you are the primary carer for.
But you cannot claim on behalf of someone who has died.
Payments will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens -those on non-protected Special Category Visas and subclass 444 holders – affected by the floods.
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