Specialised team available for 45-minute appointments on financial assistance

Updated June 7 2022 - 10:59am, first published May 31 2022 - 2:05pm

A specialised team of flood recovery grants assessors will be setting up shop at the Lismore Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah next week to help connect residents in the Northern Rivers with financial assistance.

MAKE A BOOKING: Residents can arrange a time to speak to assessors of flood recovery grants at Goonellabah next week.
MAKE A BOOKING: Residents can arrange a time to speak to assessors of flood recovery grants at Goonellabah next week.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said personalised 45-minute appointments will be available for flood-affected individuals and business owners.

"Already we've seen more than 10,000 grant applications totalling $134 million approved and paid, but I know that some applications have been stalled because grant assessors require additional information," Ms Cooke said.

"Navigating the financial assistance on offer can be difficult, which is why we're bringing in this specialised team to help people through the process of applying for grants and supplying the required documentation."

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Ms Cooke said appointments would be available with Service NSW, Resilience NSW, Revenue NSW and Regional NSW staff who can provide guidance and assistance across all seven available grants for individuals, households, business owners and primary producers.

"It's important that we provide communities across the Northern Rivers region with more opportunities to have face-to-face conversations during the grant application process so they can receive their money as quickly as possible," Ms Cooke said.

Flood-affected individuals and business owners can book appointments by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88.

A limited number of places will also be available for walk-in appointments.

Appointments will be held from Monday 6 to Friday 10 June in the Anzac Room at Lismore Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Ave, Goonellabah.

An online eligibility checker, which presents a list of grants most applicable to business owners, is also available.