Flood Funds and Support

With many Sydney and Queenslanders being displaced and impacted by the flooding, the FundFindrs team has put together a list of grant and funding schemes in hopes to assist those affected.

N.B: This list is by no means exhaustive, if you wish to receive a list specialised for your business, contact us for a consultation.

FLOOD DISASTER RECOVERY SMALL BUSINESS GRANT (NSW)

This program seeks to support small businesses and not-for-profit organisations directly impacted by the NSW Storms and Floods from 19 February 2021 onwards (AGRN 954) or from 10 March 2021 onwards (AGRN 960) in defined disaster areas agreed between the Commonwealth and states. It is intended for small business owners to help pay for costs of clean-up and reinstatement of small businesses that have suffered direct damage because of the eligible disaster.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available, with the following conditions:

• Funds of up to $15,000 will be provided to eligible, approved applicants, without the need to provide evidence of payment at the point of application. Such funds can be provided on the basis of quotes or estimates. Evidence of payment will be required in relation to that first $15,000, if the applicant seeks funding from above $15,000 to $50,000.
• Funds of between $15,000 to $50,000 will require evidence of payment at the time of application.
• Should an initial application be less than the maximum grant amount, further applications may be submitted if additional expenditure is required to complete clean-up and reinstatement activities. The maximum value of funds that may be given to each small business or not-for-profit organisation, across all applications is $50,000.

The application period is effective for six months upon announcement of the grants. Extensions of the program may be considered following submission to the Commonwealth.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must:

1. Small business

• Be a sole trader or a business employing fewer than 20 employees.
• Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the eligible disaster.
• Own a small business located in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster that has suffered direct damage because of the eligible disaster.
• Have been engaged in carrying on the small business in a defined disaster area when affected by the eligible disaster.
• Be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application.
• Be intending to re-establish the small business in the same area.

2. Not-for-profit organisation

• Be registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) or an equivalent State regulatory body and have held that registration at the time of the eligible disaster.
• Be located in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster and that has suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster.
• Be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application.
• Be intending to re-establish the not-for-profit organisation in the same area.

An applicant may also be eligible for a grant if:

• The small business is located outside the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster but operates part-time or on some regular basis within the defined disaster area and that business’ plant and/or equipment were damaged.
• The not-for-profit organisation is located outside the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster but operates part-time or on some regular basis within the defined disaster area and that not-for-profit organisation's plant and/or equipment were damaged.
• Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligibility requirements.

THE SALVATION ARMY AUSTRALIA DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES ASSISTANCE (NSW AND QLD)

This program aims to support people affected by the devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales.

SAES and Salvation Army Corps are supporting at the following evacuation centres:

QLD

• Ipswich
• Chandler

NSW

• Lismore – significant logistical challenges due to access (roads blocked)
• Tweed Heads Corps – this evac centre is not supported by SAES
• Grafton
• Maclean
• Meroo

Financial assistance can be accessed via the recovery hubs. Will consider outperforming arcDUG status. These recovery hubs are operated by multiple agencies, including The Salvation Army, and are a one-stop-shop for information, referrals and personal support and guidance with accessing financial assistance.

Financial assistance can also be accessed directly from the government:

• QLD Personal Hardship Assistance
• Federal funding via Services Australia
• NSW

Please refer to the website for the list of recovery hubs for each state.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include individuals that are affected in any state or territory across the country.

DISASTER RELIEF GRANT FOR INDIVIDUALS (NATIONAL)

If your home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant for individuals.

The financial assistance is provided to help people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible for financial support if the following apply:?

• your home (primary place of residence) was damaged by a natural disaster?
• you do not have insurance for the damage?
• you are a low-income earner with limited financial resources?
• it has been less than 4 months since the disaster.

You may not be eligible if any of the following apply:

• lack of maintenance has caused or impacted the damage, such as poor roof maintenance
• the damage is cosmetic and not essential to living in a safe and habitable home.

EMERGENCY HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE (QLD)

The Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant is available as a contribution to support people directly impacted by a disaster to who are unable to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.

If deemed eligible, applicants may receive $180 per person up to $900 for a family of 5 or more. The grant is initially available to claim for 7 days following the activation of the grant in your area.

Who can apply?

Emergency Hardship Assistance is not income or asset tested.?To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• live or are stranded in the targeted activation zone
• have suffered hardship as a result of the event
• are unable to meet your immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation.

You are not eligible for this grant if you are claiming:

• business loss or damage including compensation for loss of income
• farm or property damage (excluding principal place of residence)
• loss of tools of trade
• loss of power/ essential services to your home (you may be eligible for an Essential Services Hardship Assistance grant if the loss is for greater than 5 days) .
• isolation within property.

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