Paul Bibby
People in the Byron, Ballina, Tweed and Kyogle local government areas will be eligible to receive extra disaster recovery payments, the Federal Government has announced.
The payments were originally offered only to people in Lismore, Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley, leading to anger among some locals who feared their neighbourhoods might miss out.
But this afternoon, the Federal Government announced that eligibility for the extra disaster payments would be extended.
It means that people living in the Byron, Ballina, Tweed and Kyogle LGAs who suffered significant loss in the recent floods will be able to receive an extra $2,000 (and $400 for children) in government support.
Those who have already received the first disaster payment of $1,000 will automatically get the extra money rather than having to reapply.
These payments will be made from 22 March.
The government said the National Recovery and Resilience Agency had undertaken assessments of the affected areas and as a result the government had agreed to extend the payment in the Northern Rivers Region.
Services Australia had already delivered more than $862 million in Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) for 784,000 Claims to over one million flood affected people, it said.
The easiest and quickest way to claim the Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance is online through myGov. Online claiming is available 24/7.
If people require support to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency
Information Line on 180 22 66, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm local time and this Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm local time.
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