Support is available from both the Federal and State Governments for those affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

PERSONAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE GRANTS

The Personal Hardship Assistance Grant for individuals and families is part of a range of support aimed at helping people recover.

The jointly funded package by the Albanese Federal and Minns State Governments will provide emergency financial assistance of $180 for individuals or up to $900 per family to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicines and emergency accommodation.

To be eligible for the grant individuals must reside in one of the declared affected Local Government Areas of - Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glenn Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.

Further, individuals must have:

• Been subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning) or
• Experienced power outages of more than 48 hours.

Applicants must demonstrate they have suffered hardship as result of the disaster, making them unable to meet immediate needs.

Applications will open on Wednesday 12 March and will stay open until 8 April 2025.

These payments are part of the Albanese and New South Wales Governments' ongoing commitment to helping residents rebuild their lives following the severe impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Impacted community members are encouraged to visit New South Wales Government Recovery Assistance Points which will be operating in key locations from the end of this week.

To find out where these will be and about other support available go to www.nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery to find out supports and assistance available.

DISASTER RECOVERY ALLOWANCE

The Albanese Government is activating financial support for communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred through the Disaster Recovery Allowance. It is available to individuals who live or work in these declared areas and have lost some or all of their income due to the disaster.

This allowance offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the event.

Those in the eligible LGAs are:

17 Local Government Areas in New South Wales - Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield and Tweed as well as the locality of Lord Howe Island, including any islands within a 3 Nautical Mile radius.

To be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance, a person’s income must have fallen below the average Australian weekly income as a result of the floods.

Applications will open at 2pm local time, Tuesday 11 March.

People can check their eligibility on the Services Australia website at: Natural disaster support (Services Australia).

The easiest way to claim is online through myGov. If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS

These grants support those most in need and those least able to return their homes to a safe and habitable condition after a natural disaster such as low-income earners and where the damage is not covered by insurance.

For information and eligibility requirements, click here: Disaster Relief Grants

Click the links below for more information: