The following assistance is available, for people who have been directly impacted by the recent bushfires;

Mayoral Relief Funds

Residents directly impacted by the recent bushfires, can apply for assistance from the Mayoral Relief Fund.

A donation of $500.00 for a household & $250.00 for an individual, may be applied for by downloading and completing the below form;

www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/uploads/3765/1.-mayoral-relief-fund-application-form_updated10jan2020.pdf

Applicants must be residents of the Wingecarribee Shire, in a bushfire affected identified area, and identification may be required.

For further information, please call the Wingecarribee Shire Bushfire Recovery Hotline on 1800 316 500 or email mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au.

Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Payment

The NSW Government Office of Emergency Management is coordinating Disaster Recovery Payments of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. An additional $400 will also be provided for children, this payment will be applied automatically.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88, or Human Services on 180 22 66.

Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Allowance

The Disaster Recovery Allowance has been activated by the Australian Government, for people affected by the NSW bushfires.

This provides a short term support payment, to assist those whose income has been affected, as a direct result of the bushfires.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or Human Services on 180 2266 or visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/how-access-our-services

NSW Government Disaster Relief Grants

Grants are available for eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household contents, have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.

To be eligible for this assistance you must:

• Be a low-income earner and meet an income assets test
• Demonstrate that the affected home is your principal place of residence
• Not be covered by insurance
• Demonstrate that the damage was caused by the disaster
• Lodge the application within four months of the disaster occurring

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.

Bank Assistance

Australians affected by the catastrophic bushfires are encouraged to contact their bank to access a wide range of available assistance.

Banks have hardship teams ready to assist you with your financial arrangements, depending on your circumstances.

Contact your bank for more information.

Volunteer Firefighters’ Financial Support

Payments are available for eligible volunteer firefighters, who are self-employed or employed by a small or medium business and have lost income.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88.

Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program

$75,000 recovery grants, concessional loans and transport subsidies for available for eligible primary producers.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 for more information.

Small Business Grants - also see www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/bushfire-recovery/news_feed/business-support

Grants of up to $50,000 are available, if your business has been directly affected by the bushfires.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88.

Bushfire Working Capital Loan

The bushfire working capital loan offers up to $50,000 to help businesses cover salaries or wages, rebuild infrastructure and purchase goods and services.

Also available for eligible businesses is a Bushfire Recovery Loan of up to $500,000.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 for further information.

Motor Vehicle Stamp Duty Relief

Financial assistance is available for eligible motorists, whose cars have been written off as a result of bushfires.

Call the Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 for further information.

Australian Red Cross Assistance Grants

The Australian Red Cross is offering financial support to people whose primary place of residence was destroyed.

Cash grants available are:

• Emergency grant for people who have lost their homes.
• Injury grant for people who were hospitalised due to the fires.
• Primary residence repair grant for home owners whose homes have been structurally damaged. From 12 March 2020, eligibility has been extended to include destruction or damage to critical private water, septic and/or power infrastructure.
• Rebuild grant for owner-occupiers to assist with early stages of rebuilding.

Applications for emergency, primary residence repair and injury grants will be open until 30 April 2020. Rebuild grant applications will be open until 30 June 2020.

Phone 1800 268 772 or visit the Redcross website www.redcross.org.au/grants .

Salvation Army Disaster Assistance

The Salvation Army Disasters Assistance team is available to help those affected in all states. Working with state and local government, they offer a range of services and assistance measures to help people and communities who have been impacted by the bushfires – including financial assistance, emotional support and referrals. Contact the team by emailing sal.disasters@salvationarmy.org.au or by calling 1300 662 217. Info at www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/disasters-and-emergencies/

Vinnies Emergency Assistance

Vinnies are currently offering immediate emergency assistance for those that have been affected by the fires and suffered property loss or damage or require other support. Please call 13 18 12 to speak with a Vinnies member in your local area or visit the Vinnies website.

Other Bushfire Assistance Grants

A comprehensive directory of available grants for individuals impacted by the bushfires can be found on GrantsHub by clicking on the following link: www.thegrantshub.com.au/blog/articles/bushfire-grants

Lions Clubs of the Southern Highlands

A grant is currently offered by local Lions Clubs of up to $1500 for goods only (not cash) for those who have been fire affected. Please call 0408 102 411 or email bowral.nsw@lions.org.au to learn more.

Further Bushfire Recovery Information and Assistance

Additional information on disaster assistance including; housing assistance, cleaning up, insurance queries, animal welfare, legal assistance, replacement of personal documents, counselling and mental health support services is available by clicking on the link below:

www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance.aspx