Flood Assistance

ACCV wishes to recognise the challenges Members are facing in response to the current flooding crisis throughout Victoria, both those who are facing potential flooding and those in the rebuilding phase.

Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected by the floods, whether in their homes or in aged care facilities. To add our support to the cause, ACCV has made a donation of $2500 to the Red Cross Victorian Floods Appeal on behalf of our Members. We encourage anyone who is able to support the Red Cross Victorian Floods Appeal to volunteer their services to help rebuild the flood affected areas.

The Department of Health and Ageing has issued the below statement in support of Victoria’s response to the current flood situation:

Following the unprecedented level of flooding covering over a quarter of Victoria, approximately 27 residential aged care services and a significant number of community package care recipients have been impacted to varying degrees. Most significantly, residents at nine facilities have had to be either fully or partially evacuated to alternative locations including other residential aged care facilities, hospitals and returning home to families. Management, staff and volunteers at these affected facilities have worked unselfishly, tirelessly and cooperatively with local SES, the police, Ambulance Victoria and countless others to protect the safety and well being of care recipients. They are truly deserving of our gratitude and praise. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing will continue to work with the State Government Department of Health and residential and package care services to assist those affected by the flooding.

Emergency Assistance

In the event of an emergency, ACCV Members should contact the State Emergency Service: 132 500 or the Disaster Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349. 
 
Click here to be directed to the Victorian Government Emergency Information website for further information about the Victorian Floods in January 2011

Restoration Assistance

Victorian Flood Grants 2010-2011

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has announced additional measures to assist flood affected  primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations. The Clean-up and Restoration Grant of up to $25,000 (made as a single payment) will be paid to those parties who have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods between August 2010 and January 2011, or damage caused by hail during November 2010 in Victoria, for clean-up, removal of debris, animal welfare and business restoration.

For more information about the grants, visit the Rural and Finance Corporation website.

Social Security (Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment) Determination 2011

The Social Security (Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment) Determination 2011 is a social security determination which classifies Victorian flood victims as victims of a major natural disaster for the purposes of claiming government relief trough Centrelink. It is particularly pertinent to Community Care clients, and possibly ILU residents who have been affected.

Click here for more information on the Determination

Respite and counselling services for Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (Centres), Carers Australia Associations (Associations) and NRCP Services

In recognising that the need for respite and counselling services in flood affected areas across Australia may increase as people return to their homes and are faced with the prospect of repairing and replacing damaged property, the Department of Health and Ageing has made additional funds in the 2010-11 financial year available for Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (Centres), Carers Australia Associations (Associations) and National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) services, to provide supplementary respite and counselling servicesassist to clients in flood affected areas. Centres, Associations and NRCP services may also apply for funds to assist with full or partial reimbursement of extraordinary costs that were directly attributable to the floods, but which were not incurred in the course of ensuring the wellbeing of clients (for example, loss of uninsured equipment). 

Click here to download an application for reimbursement, including details of eligibility and expenses that can be claimed

Any clients affected by the floods who require respite or counselling services should be provided with emergency and/or short-term assistance as soon as possible. Any services provided must be provided in accordance with your current Funding Agreement, the National Respite for Carers Program Guidelines and relevant Operational Manuals.

Please note, the additional funds are for organisations to access if you do not have available funds in your budget. If you do not have funds available, you must notify the Department immediately of any funds that you propose to spend to assist flood victims or to replace equipment, to allow the department to track the total being spent. Once services have been purchased organisations are required to submit the attached application for reimbursement to the Department. The application for reimbursement will need to include supporting documentation for the services/goods that have been purchased. Copies of faxed, scanned and emailed receipts will be accepted. Please note, that while the Application for Reimbursement states that Centres have until 30 July 2011 to lodge a claim for reimbursement. All claims for reimbursement must be submitted to the Department by 30 June 2011, otherwise they may not be paid, as these funds are only available in this financial year.  An email will be sent to organisations to advise when the allocated funds are close to expiring.  

For further questions about this assistance, contact Sue Thomas on (02) 6289 5154 or Samantha Muir on (02) 6289 5226 from the Department of Health and Ageing.

Australian Government Disaster Assist

The Australian Government has established Disaster Assist to provide information on assistance for current disasters and links to assistance and responses to previous disasters that have impacted Australians, both in Australia and overseas. Disaster Assist will also include information on building resilience, to better prepare for and withstand the impacts of disasters.

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment Emergency Assistance Hotline is: 180 2266

Click here for more information on Disaster Assist and the Victorian Floods (January 2011)