Apply for East Coast Severe Weather Personal Hardship Assistance

Introduction

Key information

One-off payment of:

$180 per eligible individual; and
$180 per dependent (up to a maximum of $900 per application).

Applications close: 11:59pm on 21 July 2025

If you have been affected by the East Coast Severe Weather event, you may be eligible for a personal hardship assistance payment.

Your residence must be located in a suburb in the defined Impacted Area. The list of eligible suburbs may be updated from time to time. The most recent update was made on 19 June.

The payment is to help pay for food, medication, clothing, temporary accommodation and other essential needs.

Note: This support is in addition to the Disaster Recovery Allowance and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment available via Services Australia. For more information and eligibility criteria visit Services Australia.

Closing date

Applications will close 11:59pm on 21 July 2025.

Note: the application close date has been extended from the previous close date of 26 June 2025.

Payment amount

The one-off payment is:

$180 per eligible individual; and
$180 per dependent (up to a maximum of $900 per application).

Eligibility

You must:

be aged 18 or over on 18 May 2025
live at an address in the Impacted Area on 18 May 2025 – the list of eligible suburbs may be updated from time to time
be impacted by the East Coast Severe Weather event
as a result of the East Coast Severe Weather event, require emergency financial assistance to meet your immediate needs or the needs of your dependents.

If you were aged under 18 on 18 May 2025 but don't live with an eligible person, you may still be eligible if you meet the other criteria. You will need to apply in person at a Service NSW Centre, Mobile Service Centre or Recovery Assistance Point with the required documents as set out in What you need.

What you need

a proof of identity document that shows your full name and date of birth
a MyServiceNSW Account
- you can create one when you start your application
- you may need details from 2 identity documents (such as Australian driver licence, Medicare card, passport)
your Australian bank account details for payment.

Supporting documents

Have the following documents ready to be uploaded in JPG, PDF, PNG, or TIF format:

a document that shows your name and impacted address (must be exact impacted postal address, not a supply address or PO Box) – this may include:
- a utility bill issued between 18 November 2024 and 18 May 2025
- a copy of a residential tenancy agreement current as of 18 May 2025
- Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card current as of 18 May 2025
- council rates notice issued between 18 November 2024 and 18 May 2025
- vehicle registration notice issued between 18 May 2024 and 18 May 2025 (this excludes Digital Vehicle Registration)
- letter from Centrelink, Medicare, Service NSW, Transport for NSW, Australian Taxation Office, or other government agency  issued between 18 November 2024 and 18 May 2025
- other evidence that supports proof of residency on 18 May 2025
names, dates of birth and Medicare details for any dependents included in the application.

Protect your privacy

To help keep your personal information safe, do not upload photos of your driver licence.

How to apply

Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
Have your documents ready for uploading.
Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
Note: You can save and resume your application, but if you have not submitted it within 30 days, any details you’ve entered will be deleted.
Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
Follow the prompts to apply.

What happens next

When you submit your application, you'll receive a confirmation email with a reference number.

After your application is received, it will be assessed. We’ll contact you if additional information to support your application is required. If your application is approved, a payment will be transferred to your bank account within 2 to 12 business days.

Unable to apply online

If you're not able to apply online, please call 13 77 88 for more information, or visit a Service NSW Centre or Recovery Centre with your supporting documents. Find a location near you.