Special Disaster Grants - NSW Severe Weather & Flooding November 2021 and January 2022
The NSW and Australian Governments have announced additional assistance measures to support primary producers who have been impacted by the floods and severe weather that occurred during January 2022.
Assistance is now being provided to declared local government areas in NSW through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of floods are receiving vital support, with Special Disaster Grants of up to $50,000 now available.
Flood affected primary producers are encouraged to apply for Special Disaster Grants to access financial assistance to get back operating as soon as possible.
Once approved, eligible primary producers can access $10,000 in assistance up-front, with a further $40,000 in financial assistance available thereafter upon submission of valid tax invoices.
Please note that applicants impacted by both the November 2021 and January 2022 events may submit one application covering damages across both events to a maximum $50,000.
Applications are now closed for the November 2021 severe weather & flooding event
Extenuating Circumstances (late applications)
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority has the discretion to consider late applications for this program in extenuating circumstances where a person's ability to make an application has been affected by situations out of their control.
In this instance, please contact the RAA on 1800 678 593 or at rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au to discuss.
Please note: all applicants wishing to submit a late application must first contact the RAA to receive approval to do so. Any applications received without express consent from the RAA will not be processed.
To find out if you are eligible view the LGAs affected and the Guidelines below:
| Eligible Disaster | Declaration Date | Disaster recovery grants available in Local Government Areas | Closing Date for applications | Closing date for claims |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern NSW Storms & Floods - 5 January 2022 onwards (AGRN 1001) | 28 July 2022 | Leeton | 28 January 2023 | 28 July 2023 |
Southern NSW Storms & Floods - 5 January 2022 onwards (AGRN 1001) | 14 June 2022 | Berrigan, Edward River and Weddin | 14 January 2023 | 14 June 2023 |
Southern NSW Storms & Floods - 5 January 2022 onwards (AGRN 1001) | 02 May 2022 | Blayney, Central Darling, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Federation, Hay, Junee, Lockhart, Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan | 14 January 2023 | 14 June 2023 |
| Lithgow Storms & Floods - 11 January 2022 (AGRN 996) | 21 March 2022 | Lithgow | 21 November 2022 | 2 May 2023 |
Southern NSW Storms & Floods - 5 January 2022 onwards (AGRN 1001) | 21 March 2022 | Albury, Bland, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hilltops, Narrandera and Temora | 14 January 2023 | 14 June 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 9 November 2021 (AGRN 987) | 17 March 2022 | Berrigan and Central Darling | 17 September 2022 - CLOSED | 2 May 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 9 November 2021 (AGRN 987) | 10 February 2022 | Bland | 17 September 2022 - CLOSED | 2 May 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 9 November 2021 (AGRN 987) | 21 January 2022 | Hilltops and Yass Valley | 17 September 2022 - CLOSED | 2 May 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 9 November 2021 (AGRN 987) | 14 January 2022 | Balranald, Federation, Lismore and Upper Lachlan | 17 September 2022 - CLOSED | 2 May 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 9 November 2021 (AGRN 987) | 29 December 2021 | Bathurst, Bega Valley, Blayney, Blue Mountains, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Coonamble, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Cowra, Dubbo, Eurobodalla, Forbes Shire, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Inverell, Kyogle, Lachlan Shire, Lithgow, Liverpool Plains, Lockhart, Mid-Western, Moree Plains, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Tamworth, Tenterfield Shire, Unincorporated Area, Upper Hunter, Walcha, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle, Weddin and Wentworth | 17 September 2022 - CLOSED | 2 May 2023 |
Need help filling in this form?
Primary producers - free confidential assistance is available from your local Rural Financial Counselling Service.
You can also give the RAA permission to work with your own private financial advisor or accountant to assist you, however you will be liable for any professional fees charged. Contact the Rural Assistance Authority team on 1800 678 593.
The application process
Primary Producers
The Special Disaster Grant is available to eligible primary producers, following the declaration of a Natural Disaster by the NSW Government and approval of the Australian Government for severe weather and floods events during November 2021 and January 2022. This assistance measure is only provided in event of Natural Disasters that have severely affected communities, regions or sectors.
Download the appropriate Special Disaster Grant (SDG) Primary Producer Guidelines below:
SDG Guidelines - January 2022 (AGRN 996 and AGRN 1001) (PDF, 522.87 KB)
SDG Guidelines - November 2021 (AGRN 987) (PDF, 522.87 KB)
Applicants must provide a complete application form and:
- Local Land Services rates notice; and
- Lease agreement if you are the lessee of the impacted property you are applying for; and
- latest farm business tax returns and financial statements plus Personal Tax Return of all members of the business; and
- you may include other evidence such as quotes, estimates, photos or tax invoices.
If you have previously submitted tax returns to the NSW RAA for the financial year 2019/2020 or more recently, you will not need to provide further information. If we do not have your previous financial information, we will seek your permission to contact your accountant directly if this is easiest for you.
The online application form has been designed to make the process as simple as possible. You will be required to upload digital copies of supporting documentation (please refer to the 'What you will need section') so please have these ready before commencing your application.
Please note: applications for the November 2021 severe weather & flooding event are closed. Late applications will be accepted only where you have been approved by the RAA under extenuating circumstances.
If you are unsure at any stage of the process as to how to complete the online application form, please use the Special Disaster Grant example application document for information and helpful tips on how to proceed.
Download the Special Disaster Grant Example Online Application Form here(PDF, 1095.92 KB).
You will need:
- BP reference number
- ABN number
- Case number from original application
- Tax Invoices
*Note that the RAA can ask for proof of payment (receipts, bank statements) against invoices, either at the point of submitting a claim, or at audit.
The RAA understands that you may have been impacted by a number of declared disaster events over the past 18 months and that allocating a claim (i.e. an invoice) to any one of these events may be difficult, or in some instances may not be possible. We ask that you use your best endeavours to ensure proper record keeping and can work with you to ensure the process of lodging your claim is as easy as possible.
If you are unsure at any stage of the process as to how to complete the online claim form, please use this Example Claims Request Form (PDF, 377.63 KB).
Need Help?
To read the Frequently Asked Questions for this program please click here.
To help you further understand the Special Disaster Grant and Future Resilience please download the Future Resilience Fact Sheet (PDF, 261.87 KB).
To help you understand the Special Disaster Grant - Southern NSW Storms & Floods from 5 January 2022 onwards and how the application and payment process works please download this Case Study (PDF, 183.98 KB).
