EMERGENCY financial assistance is available for anyone in the Kempsey region who has been severely affected by bushfires.
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Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan encourages residents with damaged homes or people who have been injured in the fire to access assistance.
"People in the Kempsey region and further west to Willawarrin have had a harrowing time battling bushfires," he said.
"It's important for anyone who has suffered the loss of a home, business or loved one, been seriously injured in the blaze or have had their home or business damaged to access assistance by contacting the Department of Human Services.
"Our Government, through Disaster Recovery Payments, can provide a one-off lump sum payment of $1,000 to eligible adults and $400 for each eligible child under the age of 16.
"We have also extended the Disaster Recovery Allowance to eligible residents in this area to access up to 13 weeks of income support.
"Residents have been working so hard to protect their properties, help their neighbours and support our rural firefighters. It is important if you have been impacted by bushfire that you reach out and receive the assistance you deserve."
Our area has received welcome relief from the south-south-easterly wind change, but people living in the greater Kempsey area still need to be on the alert for bushfires.
- Pat Conaghan
The fastest way to claim is over the phone by calling the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66. The Department of Human Services mobile truck, the Golden Wattle, was at Kempsey Showground today to outline the assistance on offer.
People eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance can access the equivalent of the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance for up to 13 weeks.
Local fire warnings had been downgraded from 'Emergency' level to 'Watch and Act', but people still need to remain vigilant and have a bush fire survival plan in place.
"Our area has received welcome relief from the south-south-easterly wind change, but people living in the greater Kempsey area still need to be on the alert for bushfires," Mr Conaghan said.
Keep up to date by monitoring the New South Wales Rural Fire Service's Fires Near Me website or app or call 1800 679 737.
For personal hardship and distress assistance, residents contact the NSW Government Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444 (8.30 am - 4.30 pm Monday to Friday).
Landholders, with concerns about their animals and livestock, can reach out for assistance through the NSW Government's Agricultural Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
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