Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is pleased that the Disaster Recovery Allowance has been made available to people who have been impacted by flooding and storms in 16 Local Government Areas across the Parkes electorate.
Communities throughout the Parkes electorate that have been impacted by the recent storms and flooding can now apply for financial support from the Australian Government, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has announced.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is available to support people whose income has been affected by the severe weather in the Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Lachlan, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Narromine, Walgett, Warren and Warrumbungle Local Government Areas.
Mr Coulton welcomed this news and encouraged residents to lodge a claim for assistance.
“I know this support will be a great relief for so many people across my electorate who have been seriously impacted by the recent widespread flooding and storm damage,” Mr Coulton said.
“I was on the road last week and spoke to a number of people who are in the process of cleaning up and repairing damaged property. By making this financial support available, the Australian Government is helping them get back on their feet.
“The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected because of this disastrous event.
“The Allowance is available for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of the Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.
“The easiest and fastest way to claim is over the phone, by calling the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
“If you’ve been affected by recent floods in New South Wales and Queensland and are repaying a Centrelink debt, Services Australia is able to help. To provide immediate assistance, the Australian Government is pausing all Centrelink debt raising and new debt recovery in the affected Local Government Areas.”
Claims for DRA can be made to Services Australia from Tuesday 14 December 2021.
Check your eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster
More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at disasterassist.gov.au