Produced by the National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasting Council

PAYMENTS FOR PEOPLE IN FLOODED AREAS

There are several different payments you may be able to get if you live in a flooded area and have had to leave your home or your home or business has been damaged or destroyed by floods. 

EMERGENCY HELP  

If you are in immediate danger and need urgent help, call 000. 

If your home is about to flood, call Victorian emergency service on 132 500.

FLOOD RECOVERY HOTLINE  

If you need food, clothing, somewhere to stay or essentials like medication or nappies call the Flood Recovery Hotline.

This is also the best way to find out what payments you can get.

Call 1800 560 760. 

Press 9 for an interpreter.

The recovery hotline is open from 7.30am to 7.30pm every day. 

EMERGENCY RELIEF PAYMENT

People who have had to leave their homes because of flooding and people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the flood emergency in Victoria can apply for the Emergency Relief Assistance Payment.

This is a one-off payment for immediate needs like food, accommodation, clothing and medicine.

Anyone whose home is flooded can get this payment, you do not need Medicare.

You can also get this payment even if you do not have a bank account.

To apply, visit emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au and fill in the form.

You only need to fill in one form for your household, but make sure to include everyone in the household including children.

If your application is successful, the money will be paid straight into your bank account in three to five business days.  

If you need to be paid a different way or need help with your application go to emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au/requestcallback to ask for someone to call you back.

EXTRA HELP TO GET BACK IN YOUR HOME

You can get financial help if you cannot live in your home because it is damaged, destroyed or cut off for more than seven days because of flooding.

This is called “re-establishment assistance.”

It can help to pay for cleaning, emergency accommodation, repairs, rebuilding your home and replacing some damaged possessions.

The amount of money you get will depend on the number of people in your home, the size of your home, your income and what kind of insurance you have.

The payment is for people experiencing financial hardship who do not have building (home) insurance or contents insurance.

You will need proof of your identity when you apply and proof of the damage to your home and contents, like a photograph.

Call the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 to find out if you can get financial help. The hotline can also help you learn about other help available. Press 9 for an interpreter.

CLEANING UP YOUR HOME

People living in flooded areas can bring flood-damaged household items to local rubbish and recycling drop-off locations for free until the end of the year.

It is best to call your local facility to make sure you can bring your rubbish with no fee.

It is important to dispose of damaged items which may be unsafe and have mould on them.

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Small business owners may be eligible for the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program.

This is a one-off payment of $5,000 for things like clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, the hiring of equipment and purchase of stock that businesses need to get back in business as quickly as possible.

Call the Business Victoria hotline on 132 215 to see if you can get this grant.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Depending on where you live and how the floods have affected your home and work you may be able to get extra assistance from the federal government.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance is for workers and sole traders who lose income because of a major disaster.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is for people who have had a significant loss because of the floods, for example if your home was severely damaged or destroyed or if you suffered a serious injury.

OUTRO

To find out about all of these payments go to www dot emergency dot vic dot gov dot au forward slash relief or call the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

Press 9 for an interpreter.

Produced by the National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasting Council