Rental Support payment open to NSW flood victims

Thousands of Australians whose homes were destroyed or submerged by devastating floods can get $18,000 to find a new place to live – here’s how to apply

  • A Rental Support payment is now open to NSW residents for flood relief support
  • The payment will help people living in emergency housing move to rental home
  • It is available to home-owners whose homes were destroyed by recent flooding 

Rental support payments have now opened to NSW residents whose homes were destroyed by recent floods.

The NSW Government announced on Thursday that flood victims who lost their homes will be able to apply to receive up to $18,000 to help transition from emergency accommodation to short-term accommodation.

Acting Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the rental support payments were part of the government’s $285 million Temporary Housing Support package for disaster victims. 

The NSW Government announced on Thursday flood victims who lost their homes would be able to apply to receive up to $18,000 to help transition from emergency accommodation to short-term accommodation

The payments will help people like Darren Duff (above) who has been living in a tent in his front yard since the Lismore floods destroyed his home

The payments will help people like Darren Duff (above) who has been living in a tent in his front yard since the Lismore floods destroyed his home

‘This is an incredibly distressing time for many people, and we are committed to ensuring flood victims have access to safe, secure and affordable short-term rental arrangements while their homes are rebuilt,’ he said.

‘Up to 16 weeks’ rental support will be made available, with the payment dependent on the number of people in the household including children.  

‘This will help ease some of the burden as they transition from emergency or short-term accommodation.

Property ruined by floods has lead to 'mountains' of debris being built in the Northern Rivers Region

Property ruined by floods has lead to ‘mountains’ of debris being built in the Northern Rivers Region

Flood debris piled up at Tuckombil Quarry near Lismore towers above a crane as the governemnt announces a new Rental Support payment to help flood victims

Flood debris piled up at Tuckombil Quarry near Lismore towers above a crane as the governemnt announces a new Rental Support payment to help flood victims

‘Only one family member or housemate needs to submit an application on behalf of the household, with payments ranging from $6000 to $18,000 depending on the number of residents in the home.’

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said he understood the stress flood victims were under.  

‘I have seen first-hand the devastation these storms and floods have wrought on communities across our State, with more than 4,000 homes assessed as uninhabitable,’ Mr Dominello said.

A massive clean-up effort is still underway in several NSW regions as people struggle to find accommodation

A massive clean-up effort is still underway in several NSW regions as people struggle to find accommodation

The new Rental Support payment is available to home-owners in high-impact areas whose homes were destroyed by the floods in February and March

The new Rental Support payment is available to home-owners in high-impact areas whose homes were destroyed by the floods in February and March

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said almost 10,000 people had already registered their interest in receiving rental relief

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said almost 10,000 people had already registered their interest in receiving rental relief

How the payments work 

Customers can apply on the Service NSW website or via the app, with support also available on 13 77 88.

One person from each household is able to apply for the payment with the amount depending on how many people reside in the household.

Payment amounts are:

One person households – $6,000

Two person households – $7,200

Three person households – $9,200

Four person households – $12,400

Five person households – $15,200

Six person households – $ 18,000

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said almost 10,000 people had already registered their interest in receiving a rental relief payment. 

‘Providing rental relief is a critical step in moving people from emergency to short-term rental arrangements, so that individuals and families across flood-affected communities have certainty about where they will be staying in the weeks and months ahead,’ Ms Cooke said.

‘I urge everyone in our flood-affected communities to visit a nearby Recovery Centre to access all of the support, services and advice you need.’

The payment is only open to home-owners in high-impact areas whose property is deemed uninhabitable due to flood damage.  

NSW residents can apply for the payment on the Service NSW App or the Service NSW website.