Families, individuals and business operators affected by last year's bushfires can now access all available assistance offered by MidCoast Council and the State and Federal governments through the Bushfire Customer Care program.
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The one-stop shop service, administered by Service NSW at both its Tuncurry and Taree locations, can connect affected people with a customer care specialist who can check their eligibility for assistance and then help access this.
"These bushfires have devastated communities and livelihoods," Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead said.
"People's lives are already stressful enough, which is why we have created this new service that cuts through red tape and helps people access support as quickly as possible," he said.
These bushfires have devastated communities and livelihoods.
- Stephen Bromhead
"Once a specialist has identified eligible assistance across all layers of government, they will then do the heavy lifting to make it happen.
"This service will also meet another emerging need, by matching people with the many charities which have raised money from generous Australians."
Customer care specialists will operate like case managers and connect bushfire affected customers with services and support information including:
- Accommodation advice;
- Relevant charitable services;
- Mental health and wellbeing services;
- Support for businesses;
- Clean-up services;
- Financial assistance;
- Insurance and legal support;
- Replacing lost ID, and
- Volunteer RFS and SES payments.
Mr Bromhead said the specialists would also assist business owners who have been hit hard.
"Businesses are often the lifeblood of a community and we are here to help owners and operators get back on their feet," Mr Bromhead said.
To connect with a customer care specialist call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88.
Related:
Contact centre hours have been extended to include weekends while communities recover.
Further information is available at the Service NSW website HERE.
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