Rental support update

Support for people impacted by the August and September 2022 floods is now available for the LGAs of Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Coolamon, Edward River, Federation, Hilltops, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Monaro and Wentworth.

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Introduction

The flood recovery rental support payment helps NSW residents who are unable to live in their home due to the storms and floods:

  • in February and March 2022
  • in June and July 2022
  • commencing August and September 2022.

The payment is to help pay for accommodation bookings of 14 nights or more, made on or after:

  • 22 February 2022, for people impacted by the February and March 2022 storms and floods
  • 27 June 2022, for people impacted by the June and July 2022 storms and floods
  • 4 August 2022, for people impacted by the storms and floods commencing August and September 2022.

The payment is based on the number of people who normally live in your home who need short-term accommodation: 

  • 1 person - $6,000 
  • 2 people - $7,200 
  • 3 people - $9,200 
  • 4 people - $12,400 
  • 5 people - $15,200 
  • 6 people - $18,000 

If you have more than 6 people in your household, the payment will increase by $2,800 for each additional person.  ​​​​​

One person from each household can apply for the payment, The application must include all household members requiring temporary accommodation.

Note:

  • February and March 2022 storms and floods: NSW residents in highly impacted suburbs who have been impacted by this event may be eligible for a payment.
  • June and July 2022 storms and floods: NSW residents in a defined disaster area (AGRN 1025) who have been impacted by this event may be eligible for a payment
  • Storms and floods commencing August and September 2022: NSW residents in the following local government areas (LGAs) who have been impacted by this event may be eligible for a payment: Balranald, Bathurst, Berrigan, Cabonne, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Cowra, Dubbo, Edward River, Federation, Forbes, Gunnedah, Hilltops, Lachlan, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrabri, Narrandera, Parkes, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan, Wagga Wagga, Walgett, Wentworth, Wingecarribee.

Applications close 30 June 2023.

Eligibility

You're eligible to apply if:

  • you're a NSW resident aged 18 or over
  • the damaged property is your principal place of residence. 
  • the damaged property is a house, apartment or moveable dwelling such as caravan, motorhome, relocatable home, cabin or shipping container
  • you're unable to claim temporary accommodation costs under an insurance policy or your insurance does not cover the full length of your accommodation needs.

If the damage occurred during the February and March 2022 storms and floods your property must be in a highly impacted suburb.

If the damage occurred during the June and July 2022 storms and floods your property must be in a defined disaster area (AGRN 1025).

If the damage occurred during the storms and floods commencing August and September 2022 your property must be in an eligible LGA.

You are not eligible to apply for the payment if:

  • the damaged home is an investment property that you do not live in
  • you are entitled to make a claim for temporary accommodation under an insurance policy.

What you need

  • a MyServiceNSW Account - you can create one when you start your application
  • your name, email address and phone number
  • your proof of identity
  • photo evidence of the direct damage to the inside and outside of your property that shows it is in an uninhabitable condition.
  • the number of people in your household who need short-term accommodation
  • evidence of your temporary accommodation booking (if you have 6 or more people in your household)
  • your Australian bank account details for payment

February and March 2022 storms and floods

For this event, you will also need one document issued that shows the address of the impacted property:

  • council rates notice for Financial Year 2021-22 (if you own and live in the property)
  • copy of the current rental agreement (if you rent the property - executed on or prior to 22 February 2022)
  • utility bill (issued from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022)
  • Note: if you're unable to provide the above documents, you may substitute one of the above documents for a government-issued document that shows your name and the address of the damaged property, such as a:
    • current vehicle registration notice
    • letter from Centrelink, the Australian Tax Office, Service NSW or Transport for NSW (issued 22 April 2021 to 22 February 2022).

June and July 2022 storms and floods

For this event, you will also need one document issued that shows the address of the impacted property:

  • council rates notice for Financial Year 2021-22 or 2022-23 (if you own and live in the property)
  • copy of the current rental agreement (if you rent the property - executed on or prior to 27 June 2022)
  • utility bill (issued from 1 May 2022 to 31 August 2022)
  • Note: if you're unable to provide the above documents, you may substitute one of the above documents for a government-issued document that shows your name and the address of the damaged property, such as a:
    • current vehicle registration notice
    • letter from Centrelink, the Australian Tax Office, Service NSW or Transport for NSW (issued 27 August 2021 to 27 June 2022).

Storms and floods commencing August and September 2022

For this event, you will also need one document issued that shows the address of the impacted property:

  • council rates notice for Financial Year 2022-23 (if you own and live in the property)
  • copy of the current rental agreement (if you rent the property - executed on or prior to 4 August 2022)
  • utility bill (issued from 1 July 2022 to 30 November 2022)
  • Note: if you're unable to provide the above documents, you may substitute one of the above documents for a government-issued document that shows your name and the address of the damaged property, such as a:
    • current vehicle registration notice
    • letter from Centrelink, the Australian Tax Office, Service NSW or Transport for NSW (issued 4 October 2021 to 4 August 2022).

We may contact you if additional information to support your application is required.

Note: If your household has previously received a flood recovery rental support payment, you may be required to supply proof of the associated temporary accommodation booking. 

Auditing requirements

You may be audited in the future, so you'll need to keep all documentary evidence related to your application and assistance provided under the payment as per the Guidelines and Terms & Conditions. Evidence of short-term accommodation booking must include:

  • your name
  • the location of the accommodation
  • the number of people the booking is for
  • the amount owed
  • the date range of the accommodation. 

How to apply

  1. Check you meet the eligibility criteria.
  2. Have your documentation and evidence ready for uploading.
  3. Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
  4. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
  5. Follow the prompts to apply for the flood recovery rental support payment.

When you submit your application, you'll receive a confirmation email with an application reference number. If you do not receive this email within 5 minutes of completing your application, please check your junk mail folder. 

After your application is received, it will be reviewed. 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 specified bank account within 5 business days.

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.

Proof of identity

Two proof of identity documents are required. They may include:

  • Australian driver licence
  • Medicare card
  • Australian passport
  • Australian birth certificate
  • Australian travel visa
  • Australian citizenship certificate
  • Australian certificate of registration by descent
  • ImmiCard.
Last updated: 16 March 2023