Legal and insurance support for people affected by floods
NSW residents affected by the recent severe weather and flooding can access emergency information about legal services, insurance claims, lost proof of identification and free mail redirection.
Financial assistance available
If you have been affected by severe weather and flooding in NSW you may be eligible for financial assistance. Use the online Disaster Assistance Finder to find help available to you. Find face-to-face support at a local flood Recovery Centre.
Legal assistance
For free legal help visit the Disaster Response Legal Service or phone 1800 801 529 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Disaster Response Legal Service lawyers also visit affected communities after a disaster.
The Disaster Response Legal Service is a specialist service of Legal Aid NSW. If you have been affected by a disaster, such as the recent severe weather and flooding, the Disaster Response Legal Service can help you with everyday legal problems that can arise after a disaster, like:
- insurance claims and disputes
- tenancy
- employment and your rights at work
- financial hardship
- unpaid fines
- Centrelink issues.
Other legal services that are available include Insurance Law Service, Tenants' Union of NSW and Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services.
Contact LawAccess NSW or call 1300 888 529 if you need general legal support from Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres and other free legal assistance services in your area.
Insurance support
For insurance advice and guidance, call the Insurance Council of Australia disaster hotline on 1800 734 621. Note: claims cannot be made via this hotline.
For free legal help with insurance claims and disputes, including the claims and appeals process, policy coverage, clean-up costs, total loss settlements and temporary accommodation entitlements, visit the Disaster Response Legal Service.
Insurance support and resources are also available through the Insurance Law Service.
Family law documents
If your divorce order, current orders or other family law documents have been lost or destroyed in a natural disaster, you can get a replacement copy at no charge at a family law registry. Visit the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website for more information.