Residents in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in New South Wales, including Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog, and the Mid Coast Council, will be eligible for the federal Disaster Recovery Allowance. This financial assistance, confirmed by Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain, provides emergency payments for up to 13 weeks to support those who are unable to work due to flood damage to their homes.
The ongoing flooding in the NSW Mid North Coast has resulted in significant disruption, leading to this allowance being made available as a wage replacement for affected individuals. Minister McBain highlighted that the situation is fluid and tragic, noting a confirmed fatality amidst the chaos. In response, both the federal and state governments have already initiated disaster recovery funding for a total of 16 LGAs and remain prepared to offer further assistance as needed.
To access the Disaster Recovery Allowance, residents must file a claim through Service NSW, requiring an account for processing. While the exact timeline for payment distribution remains uncertain, the government is actively working to expedite the assistance. Once operational, Service NSW will manage the direct payments to residents.
Eligibility for the allowance includes receiving support at a rate equivalent to JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on individual circumstances. Further details about the claimed amounts are still awaited.
As the situation develops, Premier Chris Minns categorised the floods as a “natural disaster.” Tragically, one individual has lost their life due to the severe conditions, with reports of three others still unaccounted for. Compounding the woes, an additional 100mm of rain is forecasted to hit the region within the next 24 hours, further exacerbating the flood situation as water levels continue to rise, inundating homes and affecting communities.