Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance
Community Services (formerly DoCS) can provide disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household items have been destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster. People with limited financial resources and no insurance may be eligible for assistance for essential household items and structural repairs to the home. Inquiries about the disaster relief grants and the eligibility criteria may be made by contacting Community Services, Disaster Welfare Services on 1800 018 444. Community Services website
Small business
Loans of up to $130,000 are available at a concessional rate of 2.77 per cent to small businesses affected by disasters and which meet certain eligibility criteria. This finance is available to those unable to obtain assistance through normal channels. The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (now part of Industry & Investment NSW) administer this scheme. Inquiries should be directed to the Authority on 1800 678 593. NSW Rural Assistance Authority website |
Declared natural disasters
http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/natural-disaster-relief/declarations
Motor Vehicle Stamp Duty Relief
Motorists whose cars have been written off as a result of a natural disaster may be eligible for a stamp duty refund on their replacement vehicle. Refunds are made where the written off vehicle was comprehensively insured and the insurance does not cover duty for a replacement vehicle. The Office of State Revenue administers these refunds and can be contacted on 1300 139 814. Office of State Revenue website
Commonwealth/State Natural Disaster Arrangements
The above Schemes are eligible for Australian Government financial assistance, usually by way of partial reimbursement of actual expenditure, under Australian Government Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. Under the cost sharing formula, NSW pays for the first $119.7 million of natural disaster costs each year, and can claim from the Australian Government half of all eligible Personal Hardship and Distress costs within this first threshold. The Australian Government then matches NSW expenditure for costs between $119.7 million, and $209.5 million and beyond that covers three quarters of all costs.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all MTA Members for their support throughout 2010. I wish you, your families and your staff a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2011
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