Fire recovery funding for Meredith, Mount Mercer

MEREDITH and Mount Mercer people affected by last month’s bushfires can now access financial help through the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Payment system.

Minister for Government Services Katy Gallagher and Minister for Regional Development Kristy McBain have announced that the areas are among six new locations where eligible people have since Monday have been able to make a claim.

The others are Acheron, Bullioh, Crooked River and Thornton.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) program is available to people who have been directly impacted by the fires including damage to their home, serious injury or loss of a loved one.

It is a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

The announcement takes to 66 the number of Victorian locations covered by the program. Streatham, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Gellibrand, Carlisle River and Skipton are among them.

People can check their eligibility on the Services Australia website and the quickest way to make a claim is via the myGov system.

If anyone needs help they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app through the Money You Owe service, or by calling 1800 076 072.

Impact assessments are undertaken by emergency management agencies as locations are safe to access.

Payments are on top of other recovery assistance that has been activated under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.

“My thoughts are with the people in the community, the volunteers, emergency services workers and Services Australia staff who are working tirelessly to support the recovery efforts,” Ms Gallagher said.

“Supporting communities through crisis is what Services Australia is geared to do and the staff stand ready to provide support to people with claims for the AGDRP.

“I encourage people in the impacted areas to check their eligibility for these payments on Services Australia’s website.”

Ms McBain, meanwhile, said the Government was continuing to “put its shoulder to the wheel” to make financial assistance available as people recovered from the fires.

“We want Victorians to know we are here for the long haul,” she said.