Update 35: Katherine region

Immediate relief payments continue to be proessed for all residents of Katherine Town Council area and residents of Jilkminggan and Wugularr/Beswick affected by floods to:

• assist residents experiencing personal hardship as a result of the flooding
• help with the immediate impacts of flooding.

This includes payments of $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family, with payments made via a pre-paid debit card.

For information about how to use your pre-paid card, see pre-paid card limitations PDF (220.6 KB).

How and when to apply

Katherine residents can apply for an Immediate Relief Payment:

• online:  Apply for Immediate Relief Payment (you will need to attend the Welfare Recovery Centre to collect your pre-paid debit card)
• in-person: at the GYRACC Welfare Recovery Centre

To apply for the new Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments:

• online via the Services Australia website
• in-person: Centrelink staff will be available at the GYRACC Welfare Recovery Centre to assist with these applications (NTG Welfare Group cannot process these payments).
• Residents from Jilkminggan and Wugularr/Beswick will be supported to apply for payments through the Welfare Group.

Where to apply – Katherine residents

The Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre
LOT 3238 Stuart Hwy
Katherine East

9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (closed on weekends).

What to bring

Eligible residents must bring:

• photo ID (e.g. drivers’ licence)
• proof of residence (recent rental agreement, rates notice, utilities bill, letter from employer)
• proof of family status (e.g. Medicare card or Centrelink).

If you don’t have your documents, Services Australia will be onsite to assist.

For residents of Jilkminggan

Families and community from Jilkminggan have started receiving Immediate Relief Payments from the Mataranka Evacuation Centres.

Any Jilkminggan residents currently in Katherine can apply from the Welfare Recovery Centre in Katherine East.

Payments are made with 25% of eligible funds provided while evacuated and the remaining 75% once they return home.

For residents of Wugularr/Beswick

Residents will payments via outreach Welfare Group teams.

Applications are now open for Re-establishment assistance to replace essential household items, with eligible households able to receive up to $8,843.

This assistance is means tested and there are limits on claims.

For those residents who meet the income thresholds and who cannot claim through their insurance, they may be eligible for support to repair or replace essential household items, such as:

• beds and bedding
• furniture
• refrigerators
• washing machines
• other whitegoods
• basic household items.

How to apply

Affected residents can apply:

• in person at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday
• by completing the relevant application form and emailing to DCF.WelfareEMHPIP@nt.gov.au

Applicants will need to provide evidence of flood damage (validated photos or video) as part of the application.

You will also need to provide relevant proof of personal circumstances including:

• income (e.g. payslips, Centrelink statements)
• photo ID (e.g. licence or passport)
• proof of address (e.g. rates notice, rental agreement, utility bill)
• proof of family status (if applicable) (e.g. Medicare or Centrelink paperwork).

To ensure you have the appropriate evidence to support damage and eligibility assessments, you must document (photos and footage) any inundation (flooding) of your home.  Do not dispose of damaged items without recording evidence of the damage.

Applications are now open for eligible residents to claim up to $340 per adult and $172 per child, capped at $1,160 per family to reimburse the cost of short-term temporary accommodation while they were unable to return home. This assistance is means tested.

How to apply

Affected residents can apply:

• in person at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday
• completing the relevant application form and emailing to DCF.WelfareEMHPIP@nt.gov.au

Eligible residents must provide:

• a tax receipt for out-of-pocket accommodation expenses in the name of the applicant (including ABN and GST details)
• photo ID (such as drivers’ licence)
• proof of residence (recent rental agreement, rates notice, utilities bill, letter from employer)
• proof of annual income (payslips, tax statements or Centrelink statements).

Income limits apply

Payments are means-tested, and income thresholds apply. Please see below for income thresholds.

The DRFA also supports the NT Government and local authorities to undertake:

• counter-disaster operations
• debris removal
• emergency works
• restoration of essential public infrastructure.