NSW Government

Disaster Relief Grant for individuals

Financial assistance to eligible individuals and families whose homes have been damaged by a natural disaster.

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Introduction

If your home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant for individuals.

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 is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for financial support 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.

The application process

  1. Phone 13 77 88 and ask about the Disaster Relief Grant administered by Resilience NSW.
  2. We will send you an application form and fact sheet.
  3. Gather the extra information and document you will need to provide.
  4. Submit your application with the extra information and documents you have gathered. Your application can be made up to four months after the disaster.
  5. We will let you know when we receive your application, give you a case number and advise if you need to supply any other documents.

  6. We will check your application and talk to the agencies you have named on your behalf. By signing and submitting your application you are giving us permission to do so.

  7. We will arrange to visit your home and inspect the damage before making a final assessment of your application.

  8. We will write to you to tell you the outcome of your application.

What you need to provide

Contact details

  • The physical home address of the property that was damaged
  • Temporary address and contact number

Proof of income (one or more of the following)

  • Centrelink advice letter
  • Income statement or payslips
  • Evidence of taxable income (e.g. taxation advice for self-employed)

Verification of home loan repayments or rent

  • Your last normal weekly rent receipt
  • A statement from your lending authority

Proof of assets

  • Bank statements - for 3 months, including a statement covering the event date
  • Proof of investments
  • Council rate notice (if you are the home owner)

Insurance details (if applicable)

  • Policy numbers
  • Insurance company letters or emails

After you have submitted your application

How will I know my application was successful 

We will assess your application as quickly as possible. Sometimes the size and property damage caused by a disaster means it can take time to assess your damage, but we will keep you informed of what you can do to assist us and how we’re progressing.  We will write to you and share the outcome and next steps following our assessment.

If your application is unsuccessful

You may appeal if you are not satisfied with the outcome or there is additional information to support your application.

Appeals must be lodged within 1 month of receiving a letter of assessment and sent to:

Director, Disaster Welfare Services
Resilience NSW
GPO Box 5434 Sydney NSW 2001

 

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