Disaster assistance is now available for an additional two local government areas in the Parkes electorate following severe storms and flooding.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said assistance, provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), has been extended to the Bogan LGA and Unincorporated Area of NSW.

These areas are now included in addition to the initial declaration for the Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Lachlan, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Narromine, Walgett, Warren and Warrumbungle LGAs.

“Severe weather from early November has continued to impact communities across the Parkes electorate, so I’m pleased people in the Bogan shire and Unincorporated Area of NSW will now be able to access assistance,” Mr Coulton said.

“This disaster assistance will help Bogan Shire Council and the Unincorporated Area cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets like roads and bridges.

“Residents will also receive support to get back on their feet, including grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.”

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• Freight subsidies for primary producers, and
• Grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88. To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/

Meanwhile, people in the Bogan LGA and Unincorporated Area of NSW who have been impacted by flooding and storm damage can also now apply for financial support through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).

Mr Coulton encourages eligible residents to lodge a claim for assistance.

“By making this financial support available, the Australian Government is helping people in the Parkes electorate get back on their feet,” Mr Coulton said.

“The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected due to the storms and flooding.

“The Allowance is available for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of 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.

“If you’ve been affected by recent floods 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 the DRA can be made to Services Australia. Check your eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster

More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at disasterassist.gov.au