Flood Assistance Information Package
February 14, 2011
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
To apply and for more information on the assistance listed below visit www.centrelink.gov.au or call the Emergency Assistance Hotline 1802266.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
This gives a $1000 one-off payment to adults adversely affected by a major or widespread disaster and $400 for each child. This payment will be made available where your home was damaged, or you were stranded and for some whose essential services were cut off for at least 24 hours. You must lodge a claim with Centrelink by 4 July 2011.
Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy
A Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy is available to assist eligible employees, small business persons and farmers who have lost income as result of the flooding and severe weather and is paid for up to 13 weeks. You must derive your income from an area affected by the disaster or reside in an area affected by the disaster.Payments are the equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance.
Ie: Single $469.70 fortnight
Single with dependant child $508.20 fortnight
Partnered $424 fortnight
Climate Change Adjustment Program and Transitional Income Support
Transitional Income Support will be available to eligible farmers for up to 12 months, between 16 June 2008 and 30 June 2011, and paid at a fortnightly rate equivalent to the Newstart Allowance. Recipients will be required to develop a Climate Change Action Plan unsing an advice and training grant of $5,500 to access professional advice. Contact Centrelink or phone the Farmer Assistance Line on 1800 050 585.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
Emergency grants
Emergency grants of up to $1,067 per household will not be means-tested and are designed to provide immediate assistance to people in urgent need.
Up to $865 a week per household for a maximum of 10 weeks is available for people whose home is unliveable or inaccessible for more than one week and who do not have insurance. This grant is income-tested and varies according to the size of the household. It is designed to cover expenses for temporary accommodation, household equipment and transport. This grant will not be available immediately.
Re-establishment grants
Re-establishment grants of up to $8,650 for structural repairs and up to $8,650 for household items to help residents with their re-establishment of house structures and essential content items that are not insured. This grant is income-tested and doesn’t include items covered by insurance. The essential household items component is available to tenants.
RURAL FINANCE
Clean Up and Restoration grants
Rural Finance are managing a $25,000 Clean up and Restoration grant for flooding up to and including January 2011 for eligible small businesses, primary producers and not for profit organisations. They aim for a three day turn around for this grant which is paid on invoices or receipts of work done including contractors with an ABN. You need to apply by July 30th 2011.
Low interest Loans
Low interest loans (2.8 percent interest) of up to $200,000from the Rural Finance Corporation are available for farms and small businesses for an initial period of 5 years.
OTHER ASSISTANCE
Department of Primary Industries
DPI is urging farmers who want advice on livestock, fodder, re-seeding, water needs or personal support to contact the Department Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136186 , their Echuca Office on 54821922 or visit
www.dpi.vic.gov.au or call Murray Dairy on 58335313.
Community Recovery Fund
A $4 million recovery fund has been established by the Commonwealth and Victorian Government for flood affected communities to help rebuild social networks and functioning and restore community facilities. For further information call 1300 366 356.
Tax assistance
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can help individuals and businesses who have been affected by natural disasters. Assistance may include:
· fast-tracking of refunds
· extra time to pay debts
· more time to meet activity statement, income tax and other lodgement obligations
· support if you are suffering financial hardship as a result of the disaster.
Phone the ATO on 1800 806 218 to discuss your individual circumstances.
Volunteer help
If you have suffered damage and need volunteer assistance phone the Campaspe Shire on 54812200 or the Loddon Shire Recovery Centre on 54941229.
Blaize Aid
Volunteers - both those experienced in fencing and labourers - work under your guidance and direction to fix flood damaged structures like fences, farm bridges and irrigation so you can quickly become productive again. For more information visit
www.blazeaid.com or contact
54373001.
Power connections and electrical
For advice on electrical safety after water damage or flooding call the Office of Electrical Safety on 92039700 or visit
www.esv.vic.gov.au
Victorian Farmers Federation
The VFF can visit members to talk about needs and provide advice and assistance. For more information visit www.vff.org.au or phone 1300 882 833.
Business Mentors
Flood effected Businesses and farms can get help from a panel of business advisers at no cost through Small Business Victoria.
Business assistance may include:
· working with business owners to assess the overall impact on business viability
· help dealing with insurance issues
· investigating any government assistance available
· a review of the business's current and future financial position
Visit www.business.vic.gov.au or call Business Victoria on 13 22 15
Employment
The
Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office has published advice on their website to employers and employees on relevant provisions under the
Fair Work Act 2009, including how certain leave entitlements might be available. Further information is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s information line call
13 13 94 which is open: 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Immigration and Citizenship Information
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is aware there are many temporary visa holders, including back packers and other workers and tourists, , in flood-affected areas.
If a visa is about to expire, or work for a business which has been affected, the Department urges them to contact DIAC as soon as possible.
Affected visa holders or businesses can contact the department on 131 881.
Indigenous Employment Program
For any questions regarding the Indigenous Employment Program in flood affected areas, please call the Indigenous Employment Line 1802102 to be directed to a relevant contact officer or you can email indigenousiandbNAT@deewr.gov.au.
Insurance information
Insurance Council of Victoria emergency hotline 1300 728 228 can be called to access insurance details or for general inquiries.
The Insurance companies have offered the following tips to speed up the insurance claims process:
· Try to keep your flooded house as ventilated as possible to help minimise the build up of mould.
· Remove wet contents and make a list of the damaged items as you go. Take photos where possible.
· If you are throwing things out in the clean-up, keep a record of the make and model number of electrical items. Keep the manufacturers’ manuals if possible.
· Remove flood damaged carpet from the home, but keep a small sample on site for the assessor or photograph the back where the make and brand is stamped.
Banks are offering emergency relief packages to customers impacted by floods.
Assistance may include:
· deferring home loan repayments for up to three months;
· restructuring business loans without incurring fees;
· giving credit card holders an emergency credit limit increase;
· refinancing personal loans at a discounted fixed rate;
· waiving interest rate penalties if term deposits are drawn early; and
· deferring monthly repayments on equipment finance facilities for three months.
Banks have also established dedicated numbers for affected customers to call:
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ANZ
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1800 149 549
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ING
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1300 349 166
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Bank of Queensland
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1800 079 866
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NAB
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1800 701 599
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Bendigo and Adelaide
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1300 652 146
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Rabobank
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1800 025 484
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Citibank
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13 24 84
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Suncorp
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13 11 75
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Commonwealth
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13 22 21
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St George
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1300 769 578
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HSBC
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1300 732 943
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Westpac
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1800 067 497
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The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) advise that super fund members affected by flooding maybe able to seek early access to some of their superannuation.
Where to get help for people feeling the effects of stress and trauma
Lifeline operates a 24-hour telephone counselling service on 13 11 14. For more information visit www.lifeline.org.au
Australian Red Cross visit www.redcross.org.au/contactus_default.asp
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