To assist you with Bushfire relief below are some links and information. If you need any help with completing applications or have any questions please don’t hesitate to call us at Greg Dear Accounting on 03 51553733.
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Federal Government is offering a one-off payment to those members of the East Gippsland community who have been severely affected by the bushfires. If you meet the eligibility criteria you are entitled to $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child under the age of 16.
In order to receive this payment, you need to have been adversely impacted by the bushfires. For example:
- You have been seriously injured
- You’re the immediate family of an Australian citizen or resident who died
- Your principle residence has been destroyed or must be demolished
- Your principle place of residence has sustained major damage
- You’re the principle carer of a dependant child who has experienced all the above
For more information visit:
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/victorian-bushfires-december-2019-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment
Victorian Bushfires- December 2019- Disaster Recovery Allowance
The disaster recovery allowance is a short-term payment to help if the bushfire disaster has directly affected your income. A maximum 13-week payment is payable from the date your income was lost as a direct result of the Victorian Bushfires.
The maximum payment rate is the equivalent of Newstart, or Youth Allowance based on your
To be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance you must:
- Be 16 years or older, and not be a dependent child
- Be an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
- Work or live in an affected local Government area
- Have lost income as a direct result of the Victorian Bushfires
- Show that you have or will earn less then the relevant income threshold amount in the fortnight following the loss of income.
To find out more please call 171534 or visit:
DHHS Personal Hardship Assistance Program
A one-off payment of a maximum $1,960 per household, $560 per adult and $280 per child is available to help meet the costs associated with immediate needs such as, emergency food, clothing, shelter, medicine and accommodation.
For anyone affected by the bushfires and is suffering personal hardship can visit an Emergency Relief Centre (located in Bairnsdale) or call the Personal Hardship Assistance Program information line 1800 961 054.
For more information visit:
https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/personal-hardship-assistance-program
NAB Emergency Assistance
NAB business and agribusiness customers directly impacted by the fires are eligible for:
- $2,000 grants to help with the costs of repairing damaged property, equipment, fencing and for the loss of stock and/or livestock.
- Up to three-year deferral of interest and repayments for existing NAB loans.
- A commitment no to foreclose upon or force the sale of existing loans for up to three years.
For more information please visit:
ANZ Bushfire Relief Package
ANZ customers affected by the bushfires should contact the bank to discuss measures in the financial relief package, such as:
- The ability to suspend repayments on loans, including credit cards, for up to three months.
- Temporary interest rate relief
- Waving of fees associated with restructuring business loans
- Early access to term deposits without incurring any fees
To find out more visit:
CommBank Bushfire Recovery Grants
The Commonwealth bank is offering up to $50,000 in grants to assist the long-term recovery of organisations directly impacted by the bushfires.
Applications close on the 31st of March 2020, to be eligible for the Bushfire Recovery Grant, each organisation must:
- Be a community organisation, fire service, school, sporting club or non-government organisation in a bushfire affected area, not an individual.
- Need to replace or repair facilities or property that was damaged or lost as a result of the bushfires and is not likely to be covered by insurance.
- Be able to identify how repair or replacement of the facilities or property will benefit the community
- Not be implementing projects with any political objectives
- Hold a current bank account in Australia in the community organisation’s name.
For more information visit:
https://www.commbank.com.au/latest/bushfire-appeal.html
$75,000 grants to be made available to farmers to assists in the bushfire recovery
The federal government has announced the farmers will be eligible to $75,000 grants to assist in the recovery and rebuilding associated with the bushfires.
To find out more please visit:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-14/grants-for-bush-fire-affected-farmers/11866782
Westpac Disaster Relief Package
Grants of up to $2,000 can be accessed to help cover the cost of emergency food, clothing and accommodation.
Westpac business customers with existing loans can have them restructured without the usual bank fees.
Affected Westpac home loan customers can apply to defer repayments for up to three months. Customers with Home and Contents insurance may be eligible to receive assistance such as temporary accommodation and emergency funds.
Credit card customers can apply to defer repayments on their card for up to 90 days.
For more information please call 1800 067 497 or visit:
East Gippsland Shire Council
For any more information as to what relief is available specifically in the East Gippsland area, head on over to the East Gippsland Shire Council website.
https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/Bushfire_information/Bushfire_support_and_information