Do you need financial help after the latest flood?
Here's a rundown on a number of schemes available under the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Persona l hardship and distress assistance:
The Ministry for Police and Emergency Services can provide disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household items have been destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster.
People with limited financial resources and no insurance may be eligible for assistance for essential household items and structural repairs to the home.
Inquiries about the disaster relief grants and the eligibility criteria may be made by calling 1800 018 444.
Primary producer loans:
Loans of up to $130,000 are available (subject to certain eligibility criteria), at a concessional interest rate for those in urgent need. These loans may be used to meet carry-on requirements and the replacement and repair of damage not covered by insurance.
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority administers this scheme. Inquiries should be directed to the Authority on 1800 678 593.
Primary producers - transport subsidies:
Transport freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent on the carriage of livestock and fodder are available to help primary producers. The maximum subsidy available is $15,000 per annum.
Inquiries should be made to the nearest Department of
Primary Industries office. The public inquiry number is 1800 814 647.
Small business:
Loans of up to $130,000 are available at a concessional rate to small businesses affected by disasters and which meet certain eligibility criteria. This finance is available to those unable to obtain assistance through normal channels.
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority administers this scheme. Inquiries should be directed to the Authority on 1800 678 593.
Assistance for councils:
Grants are available to meet the additional costs of emergency work to restore essential services, including the provision of emergency levee banks, which are in excess of normal operations. Grants are available to meet 100 per cent of eligible emergency works and 75 per cent of eligible restorations works up to $116,000 with 100 per cent cost recovery beyond that level.
The Department of Finance and Services (NSW Public Works) administers this assistance.
The contact person is Stuart Miller, phone 02 9372 8871.
Grants are available to help Councils to permanently restore roads and bridges to pre-disaster standards. These grants meet 75 per cent of the first $116,000 expenditure and 100 per cent beyond that level. This assistance is administered by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services.
The contact person is Peter McMahon, phone 02 8588 5480.
Trustees of parks and reserves:
Provided the facilities concerned constitute “public assets”, grants may be made available to those parties (e.g. trustees) responsible for managing Crown Land, parks and reserves, who do not have the financial capacity to meet restoration costs from their own resources.
The Department of Primary Industries - Catchments and
Lands Division administers this scheme. The contact person is Helen Muldoon, phone 02 8258 7424.
Sporting clubs:
A special scheme is available to assist sporting clubs in meeting the costs of restoration of essential club facilities that have been damaged or destroyed. The
assistance is made available to those clubs which do not have the financial capacity to meet restoration costs from their own resources, but which have the capacity to repay any loan that may be granted.
Under these arrangements the maximum assistance available is $12,000, including a grant of up to $2,000 and the balance by way of repayable advance with interest.
NSW Treasury administers this scheme. The public enquiry number is 02 9228 5181. This finance is available to those unable to obtain assistance through normal channels.
Churches and voluntary non-profit organisations:
Loan assistance is available to churches and voluntary non-profit organisations for the restoration of essential facilities that have been damaged or destroyed.
Eligible groups will usually perform a service for the community or environment and are funded by grants or donations.
Non-profit organisations that perform a commercial function, charge a fee for a service or represent commercial or industrial groups, e.g. industry bodies are not eligible for assistance. These organisations can recover costs from their members or through fees. As with other schemes, assistance is only available to those organisations which do not have the financial capacity to meet restorations costs from their own resources, insurance and are unable to obtain assistance through normal channels. Advances are subject to a maximum of $25,000 at a concessional interest rate per annum.
NSW Treasury administers this scheme. The public enquiry number is 02 9228 5181.
Motor vehicle stamp duty relief:
Duty relief on motor vehicles is available. If you replace a
comprehensively insured vehicle that was written off as a result of a declared natural disaster, you may be eligible for a refund of duty paid on the registration of
the replacement vehicle.
Details of eligibility requirements, application forms and a
list of declared natural disaster areas are available by calling 1300 139 814.
Insurance:
If you have a query relating to insurance you can call the
Insurance Council on 1300 444 557. This service is available to all.
Email a friend