VFBV

Updated: 1 December 2022 (Originally issued 18 October 2022, updated 27 October 2022 and 4 November 2022) 

The following Fact Sheet has been prepared to assist members and their families to navigate the various sources of assistance that we are currently aware of in relation to the Victorian Flood event since October 2022. The information below is also available for download at the bottom of this page.

PLEASE NOTE - Information concerning relief and recovery assistance is very dynamic and frequently being updated. This update provides a snapshot of current resources available to assist with member enquires. 

EMERGENCY INCIDENTS AND WARNINGS

For the latest information on incidents and warnings use the VicEmergency app or www.emergency.vic.gov.au or free call 1800 226 226 for warnings and recovery information, including emergency relief assistance grants for hardship.

Flood Recovery Hotline call 1800 560 760

The Flood Recovery Hotline is a single state-wide number, that Victorians impacted by the recent 2022 floods can call for help or assistance with:

- Navigating available support
- Clean up services
- Finding a place to stay
- Financial support 
- Mental health and wellbeing support

The recovery hotline is open from 7.30am-7.30pm every day. (Press 9 for an interpreter) 

The Insurance Council of Australia call 1800 734 621 www.insurancecouncil.com.au 

The ICA’s disaster hotline offers assistance to policyholders if they are uncertain of their insurance details.

Road Closures 

Visit VicTraffic at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au for main road closures. For urgent road hazards call 13 11 70.

The Services Australia Emergency Information line, assistance is available if you are unable to access internet services or have trouble using your MyGov account call 180 22 66

ARE YOU HOMELESS DUE TO FLOODING? 

Support for people affected by the Victorian Floods, since October 2022.

If you’re directly affected by this declared disaster, there are lump sum payments and ongoing, short-term allowances to help you. You may be eligible for more than one of these.

Read about additional help if you’ve been affected by a natural disaster.

PLEASE NOTE - To assist flood affected individuals there has been a temporary pause of mutual obligation requirements for some flood-affected areas - more information https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pause-requirements?context=51411 

Requirements have paused from 14 October 2022 until 5 January 2023 inclusive in the following postcodes and LGAs: Campaspe, Moria

Requirements have paused from 17 October 2022 until 5 January 2023 inclusive in the following LGA: Gannawarra

Requirements have paused from 30 November 2022 until 5 January 2023 inclusive in the following LGAs: Mildura, Swan Hill 

If you're referred to Workforce Australia, you can stay up to date with any temporary suspension of mutual obligation or participation requirements. Check temporary suspension of obligations on the Workforce Australia website. 

If you're unable to meet your requirements due to a personal issue, you can ask for a temporary exemption. Read what exemptions may apply. 

The Personal Hardship Assistance Program’s Emergency Re-establishment Assistance fund will support Victorian families whose properties are hardest-hit beyond the initial payments for food and shelter – providing up to $42,250 for uninsured properties, helping to pay for clean-up, repairs, rebuilding and replacing household contents.

Information on how to access the relief payments, along with other recovery information can be found on the Vic Emergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief 

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT RELIEF AND RECOVERY ADVICE
Emergency Relief and Recovery Victoria 

Information regarding State level support services and programs to assist families, businesses and farmers affected by emergencies across Victoria. www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief 

Victorian Government Emergency Relief Payments

The Victorian Government has announced Emergency Relief Payments of $580 per adult and $290 per child (to a maximum of $2030 per family) are available to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, and personal items. 

Information on how to access the relief payments - https://emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au/

Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Victoria 

Financial Crisis Support – provides links to immediate assistance for individuals, including accommodation, food and clothing as well as the Personal Hardship Assistance Program (PHAP) services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/financial-crisis-support 

Department of Human Services (DHS)/Centrelink – Commonwealth 

Provides information on support and services that may be available if you are experiencing severe financial hardship, recovering from a disaster, or in need of special assistance www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrelink 

EMERGENCY SERVICE FLOOD RESPONSE VOLUNTEER EXPENSE REIMBURSMENTS 

The State Government has announced that a reimbursement process has been implemented for all CFA, SES and LSV volunteers who have been deployed in response to the 2022 Victorian Flood Event.

Any volunteer who was deployed for a cumulative period of 24 hours or more and has incurred direct out-of-pocket expenses may apply for a streamlined reimbursement payment of up to $300 to cover expenses incurred (if any).

CFA is in the process of setting up an online claims process which members will be required to enter the dates of deployments, applicable FIRS numbers and a list of expenses incurred (receipts are not required if expenses are under $300). If expenses total more than $300 a different process will be in place and receipts must be provided. As you can only make one claim, members are advised to hold off on making any claims until towards the end of the flood response activities.

From a VFBV perspective, our aim has always been to ensure processes are in place to minimise or eliminate any expenses being incurred by volunteers on deployment, but we understand that from time to time there may be things that crop up. We encourage any volunteer who has incurred any out-of-pocket expenses to consider making a claim. We will also seek to monitor de-identified data of the most common type of expenses claimed to inform future work to minimise these costs occurring in the first place. 

Further information can be found on CFA’s frequently asked questions page Volunteer Expense Reimbursement Process (Flood Response) - FAQs | CFA Members Online or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Please note - for CFA Members you will need to use your Members Online login and password. 

Applications will close on 31 January 2023.  

LONG TERM ASSISTANCE 

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a lump sum payment to help you if you’ve been significantly affected by Victorian Floods since October 2022.

If you are eligible you could get:

- $1000 per adult
- $400 for each child younger than 16.

You are eligible if you’re in a Local Government Area (LGA) that’s been declared for a disaster.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment is not for minor damage or inconvenience. Its purpose is to help with major damage to your property or other assets. You can choose to get this payment in 2 parts.

You can access the AGDRP at : https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/victorian-floods-october-2022-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment 

AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

LOSS OF INCOME ASSISTANCE 

DISASTER RECOVERY ALLOWANCE

If you lost income as a direct result of Victorian Floods since October 2022, you may also be eligible for Disaster Recovery Allowance. If you’re eligible, you may be able to get both the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance.

You must meet eligibility rules to get the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.

To get it, you or a dependent child you’re a principal carer for must meet all of the following criteria:

- you’re an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
- you’re in an eligible Local Government Area (LGA)
- you’re claiming this payment for the Victorian Floods, October 2022 for the first time.

You can contact us on 180 22 66 if you want to discuss the outcome of your claim.

DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS
The joint Australian, state and territory governments' Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) provide a range of financial assistance to the natural disaster-declared areas in each state or territory.

For the Victoria floods, commencing 6 October 2022, the available assistance measures may include:

- personal hardship and distress
- removal of debris from residential properties
- counter disaster operations
- restoration of damaged essential public assets.

OTHER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE 

For information on available recovery assistance, visit the VIC Emergency website.

For further information on recovery arrangements, visit Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will replace passports that have been lost or damaged in declared natural disasters free of charge, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.​​ 

Business Support – Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program.

A one-off payment for eligible businesses directly impacted by the recent floods in Victoria, to assist with costs such as clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, hiring of equipment and purchase of stock.  Call the Business Victoria Hotline on 13 22 15 for further assistance. https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/small-business-immediate-flood-relief-program 

Flood and storm financial advice and support for farmers

Primary producer recovery grants and rural landholder grants are available to cover the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods/flood-advice-and-support 

Primary Producers – Clean-Up Relief Grant, Concessional Loans and Transport Subsidies.

Grants, loans and subsidies are available for flood-affected farmers.  to cover the cost of clean-up and support businesses to get back up and running. Call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/victorian-primary-producer-flood-relief-program for more information.

Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) 

Fee Relief – in the case of natural disaster, ASIC can review late lodgement and late payment fees incurred as a result of matters outside your control and waive them in some circumstances. asic.gov.au/for-business/payments-fees-and-invoices/fee-waivers/ 

Australian Tax Office (ATO) 

Dealing with disasters – an ATO portal linking to information regarding ways that individuals and businesses can manage tax obligations following a disaster. https://www.ato.gov.au/general/support-in-difficult-times/natural-disaster-support/

Insurance Council 

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a Significant Event for regions of Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Tasmania impacted by flooding. The Insurance Council’s processes have been activated to assess and monitor the insurance claims impact of this unfolding flood event.

https://insurancecouncil.com.au/resource/insurance-council-declares-significant-event-for-three-states-impacted-by-floods/ 

Banking

Anyone affected by the disaster is encouraged to contact their financial institution to discuss any support programs they may have in place.  Further information on dealing with your bank during this time can be found via the Australian Banking Association ausbanking.org.au/flood-affected-customers-encouraged-to-contact-their-bank-2/  

If you are in severe financial hardship, recovering from a disaster or need special assistance humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/crisis-and-special-help 

VFBV WELFARE FUND 

Operating since 1913, the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria welfare Fund provides fast small grants to CFA volunteers, long serving former volunteers and their families, who are experiencing significant financial hardship.  Typical cases involve prolonged illness, bereavement, loss of earnings, or the accommodation and travel costs associated with supporting a relative in hospital.

The Welfare Fund is run under Australian Tax Office rules, independently audited, and grant decisions are made by a committee of long serving CFA volunteers. The Fund has helped close to 1,300 volunteers, with more than $2.3 million in grants made over the years.

- Grants up to $5,000
- Available to all members and long serving ex-members and their families of subscribing Brigades 
- Contact to the VFBV Welfare Fund Secretary on (03) 9886 1141 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or your VFBV Support Officer or State Councillor to discuss eligibility and application process.

CFA MEMBER WELFARE AND SUPPORT 

Support services are available to all members and their immediate families:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 - provides crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 - to talk with a trained mental health professional.

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 - information and assistance for young people and children.