Those eligible will receive a one off payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for each child to help their recovery from this disaster.

The Minister for Community Services, Jenny Mackin said the payment would provide financial assistance to people who were seriously injured, whose principal place of residence was destroyed or significantly damaged, who were unable to return home or who were isolated by the floodwaters for a period of 24 hours or more.

Applications for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment opened on Monday. People can claim the payment during the next six months.

Ms Macklin said hundreds of households had been affected by the heavy rain and flooding that began on November 5.

“The Australian Government is currently considering the information provided by the Mayors of Coffs Harbour and Bellingen on residents who continue to be affected by the March floods in the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers region.

“The Australian Government is examining this information as a matter of priority to identify possible gaps in assistance. We will respond quickly, and are continuing to work cooperatively with the local Mayors,” she said.

For more information call the Australian Government’s NSW November 09 Floods Hotline on 180 2333 or visit your local Centrelink office.

More information on Australian Government assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au

The announcement has been welcomed by Bellingen Mayor Mark Troy and Coffs Harbour Mayor Keith Rhoades.

“This is great news for those people who are facing the trauma of dealing with the aftermath of yet another flood event on the Coffs Coast,” said Cr Rhoades. “Having some immediate financial relief will be a godsend to our communities. We know only too well from our previous experience that having this payment will help ease the financial problems faced by residents hit by this latest natural disaster,” he said.

Cr Troy said the Minister deserved congratulations for immediately stepping in and assuring the Coffs Coast communities that they would be able to apply for the Disaster Recovery Payment.

“It’s also very pleasing to see that this latest disaster has not meant that the Government has taken its eye off the ball as far as continuing to look for assistance for those people hit by March 31 storm,” he said.