Residents in four NSW LGAs impacted by the floods will have access to the federal Disaster Recovery Allowance.
Residents in Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Dungog, and the Mid Coast Council areas are eligible for 13 weeks of emergency payments, according to Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain.
This financial assistance is intended to help cover lost wages for those unable to work due to their homes being impacted by floodwaters on the NSW Mid North Coast.
“This support is designed to provide up to 13 weeks’ allowance to help those affected, as they are unable to continue their regular employment,” McBain explained.
“This is still a dynamic and changing situation, and as we’ve heard … unfortunately, there has been a fatality.”
The federal and NSW governments had already activated disaster recovery funding arrangements for 16 LGAs.
“We remain open to helping NSW if there are any further requests,” McBain said.
How to claim the Disaster Recovery Allowance
The allowance will be available through Service NSW.
Residents will need an account to make a claim.
McBain could not confirm how long it would take to get payments in the pockets of affected residents, but she said the government is “working on it”.
”That will be run through New South Wales and they will shortly have Service NSW [distribute it] directly to residents,” McBain said.
It is also not confirmed how much the affected residents would get.
Premier Chris Minns this morning said the flood was a “natural disaster”.
One man has died from the floods and there are reports of three others missing.
Another 100mm of rain is expected to fall over the region in the next 24 hours, as floodwaters reach roofs and treetops.
