New South Wales is still battling devastating floods, with the death toll now at five and more than 10,000 homes damaged across the state. Over 50,000 people remain trapped, and emergency services are still carrying out rescues and relief operations as more rain and strong winds are forecast for the coming days.
Residents who’ve been impacted by the floods in NSW’s Mid North Coast will now be able to access the federal Disaster Recovery Allowance, which covers any lost salary for those who’ve been unable to work due to the disastrous weather.
Evacuation centres are open in Dungog, Gloucester, Taree, Manning Point, Wingham, Bulahdelah, Tuncurry Beach, Kempsey and Port Macquarie, with residents urged to follow SES advice and stay away from floodwaters.
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain has announced that residents living in Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog and the Mid Coast Council will now be able to access 13 weeks of emergency allowance.
“It is to assist people who have been impacted with up to 13 weeks’ allowance, in lieu of their being able to undertake their usual course of employment,” McBain said per 9News.
“This is still a dynamic and changing situation, and as we’ve heard … unfortunately, there has been a fatality.”
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is a “short-income support payment” to help residents who’ve had their income impacted as a result of a natural disaster. The allowance is available for employees, small business persons and farmers who’ve been affected by a major disaster.
Disaster recovery funding arrangements have now been enacted for 19 local government areas (LGAs), up from 16 earlier in the week.
This includes:
- Armidale
- Bellingen
- Central Coast
- Cessnock
- Clarence Valley
- Coffs Harbour
- Dungog
- Kempsey
- Lake Macquarie
- Maitland
- MidCoast
- Muswellbrook
- Nambucca
- Newcastle
- Port Macquarie-Hastings
- Port Stephens
- Singleton
- Upper Hunter
- Walcha
McBain told ABC News Breakfast today, “It assists councils with that immediate response, as well as a whole range of clean-up assistance. We are also helping people on low incomes by essential goods, as well as assistance for small businesses and primary producers.”
How do I claim the Disaster Recovery Allowance?
If you’ve lost income because of the floods, you might be able to get the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA), which offers up to 13 weeks of income support. This is available for employees, sole traders, and primary producers in the LGAs of Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, MidCoast, and Dungog, starting from 2pm Monday, 26 May.
To be eligible, you need to be an Australian resident aged 16 or older, and not already getting payments like the Age Pension, JobSeeker, or Service Pension. The DRA pays up to the JobSeeker or Youth Allowance rate, depending on your situation.
You can apply online through myGov or the myGov app, or call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 if you need help.
Minister McBain said, “Many people across the Hunter and Mid North Coast region will have had their employment impacted by these floods, which is why the Albanese Government is activating this direct assistance – with up to 13 weeks of income support available to eligible workers. We’re also working closely with the Minns Government to activate a range of payments to meet the different ways communities have been impacted – and will continue working with all levels of government during this event and into recovery.”
She also stressed, “This flood event is causing widespread damage and isolation and with waters so high, it’s important that people continue to keep up to date with the warnings and listen to the advice of emergency services.”
While rainfall has eased in some areas, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning of strong winds up to 90 km/h on Monday and Tuesday, especially along the coast, which could make recovery harder and conditions more dangerous. Residents should keep following SES updates, avoid closed roads, and never drive through floodwaters.
The Insurance Council of Australia has already received over 1,600 claims, and that number is expected to rise. Residents are being urged to lodge claims as soon as possible and check their records if they’re unsure who their insurer is.
If you’re in an affected area, keep up to date with SES and emergency warnings, and don’t take risks with floodwater.
For a full list of flood warnings in NSW, click HERE.
Image source: AAP PHOTOS / Lindsay Moller
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