Emergency financial support for people affected by floods

Disaster Relief Grant

If your home or essential household items have been damaged, you may be eligible for a Disaster Relief Grant.

The financial assistance is provided to help people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It does not replace insurance or compensate for losses.

You may be eligible for this grant if the following apply: 

• your home (primary place of residence) was damaged by a natural disaster 
• you do not have insurance for the damage
• you are a low-income earner with limited financial resources
• it has been less than 4 months since the disaster.

You may not be eligible if any of the following apply:

• lack of maintenance has caused or impacted the damage, such as poor roof maintenance
• the damage is cosmetic and not essential to living in a safe and habitable home.

Apply for the Disaster Relief Grant

For more information, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Back Home grant

If your house has been declared as damaged or destroyed and you are unable to claim on insurance or natural disaster relief, you can apply for the Back Home grant.

This grant provides up to $20,000 to households in the flood-affected areas. The funds can go towards any clean-up costs to restore housing to a habitable condition.

Low-income earners who are successful in their application for the Disaster Relief Grant are unable to apply for the Back Home grant. If you don’t qualify for the Disaster Relief Grant, you can apply for the Back Home grant.

For more information on the types of costs that are covered by the Back Home grant, visit Floods financial grants.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery payment

The following payments are available to people in NSW affected by the floods: 

• Disaster Recovery Payment – $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child if your home has been severely damaged or destroyed, or you've been seriously injured.
• Disaster Recovery Allowance – short-term income assistance (up to 13 weeks) if you've lost income as a direct result of the floods.
• New Zealand Disaster Recovery Payment – support for New Zealanders living in areas adversely affected by the floods.
• New Zealand Disaster Recovery Allowance – support for New Zealanders who have lost income as a result of the floods.

There are additional Disaster Recovery Payments of up to $2,000 for residents of Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Tweed. 

This additional payment is automatically approved for those who have already claimed and received the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.

Find out more information and apply on NSW Floods, February 2022.

Crisis payments for other extreme circumstances

There are additional crisis payments from the Australian Government for other extreme circumstances.

You may get crisis payment if you’ve had to change where you live due to flooding or another unforeseen event.

Check the list of highly impacted suburbs that are prioritised for emergency financial support.

Find more information on Crisis Payment to Other Extreme Circumstance.

Flood recovery rental support payment

If you need short-term accommodation support, you can apply for the flood recovery rental support payment.

The payment helps NSW residents in highly impacted suburbs pay for short-term accommodation bookings that:

• were made on or after 22 February 2022
• are for 14 nights or more.

It provides up to 16 weeks' rental support to flood victims in temporary accommodation. The amount available to you depends on the number of people in your household, including children:

• 1-person household – $6,000
• 2-person household – $7,200
• 3-person household – $9,200
• 4-person household – $12,400
• 5-person household – $15,200
• 6-person household – $18,000.

For you to be eligible for the payment:

• the property must be your primary residence
• you must be a NSW resident older than 18
• and you must be unable to claim temporary accommodation costs under an insurance policy or where insurance does not cover the full length of accommodation needs.

Apply for the rental support payment

For help applying, visit a recovery centre or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Protect yourself from identity theft and fraud

Be wary of contact from unknown people pretending to be from the Australian Tax Office or Services Australia who offer to help you apply for grants or release your superannuation.

Be wary of people who contact you about helping you access government financial support.

Do not provide any of your personal or financial information.

Do not click on suspicious links that are sent to your phone or any other device.

To speak to someone you can trust, call Service NSW on 13 77 88, or visit your local recovery centre.

Flood Property Assessment Program

The Flood Property Assessment Program offers free structural assessments, demolition and waste removal for properties damaged by floods.

The program is open to insured and uninsured property owners in disaster-declared areas. It covers properties used for either residential, small business or primary production purposes.

For further information visit Flood Property Assessment Program.

Additional Child Care Subsidy

If you’re experiencing temporary financial hardship, you may be eligible for extra help with the cost of childcare. This subsidy is added on top of the regular Child Care Subsidy.

Find more information about whether you’re eligible on Additional Child Care Subsidy Temporary Financial Hardship.

Apply for the Additional Child Care Subsidy

Early access to superannuation

There are limited circumstances in which you may be able to access your superannuation early. Visit Early access on compassionate grounds to see if you’re eligible and to apply.

Ask how your bank can help

Australia’s banks have announced options to defer loan repayments for up to 3 months for customers affected by floods in NSW.

Additionally, some banks are offering small business customers in NSW from flood-impacted postcodes cash grants of up to $3000 or grants of up to $10,000 to help with expenses and repairs.

Your bank may also be able to assist you in other ways, such as:

• restructuring loans
• waiving fees and charges
• expediting insurance claims.

Contact your bank about how they can assist you.

Support from your telco

Telephone and internet service providers are offering relief for customers affected by floods. You can apply by filling out a form with Telstra, Optus, or contact your provider to find out more.

National debt hotline

The National Debt Hotline offers free and confidential financial counselling and resources. Call 1800 007 007.

Revenue NSW

Revenue NSW offer a range of options based on your circumstances, including:

• extension of payment or lodgement timeframes
• lifting of licence or registration sanctions
• putting debts on short-term hold and help with hardship applications
• duty relief on a replacement vehicle, if your car was written off.

Visit Renevue NSW for more information, or call 1300 650 394.

Service NSW

You may be eligible for a refund on your vehicle registration or your licence fee. Visit Service NSW or call 13 88 77.

Australian Tax Office

The Australian Tax Office can help you with your tax or super obligations. Find out more on their website or call the emergency assistance line on 1800 806 218.