<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="" title="Albanese"><span>Albanese</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/jacinta-allan" rel="" target="" title="Allan"><span>Allan</span></a><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/politics" rel="" target="" title="governments"><span>governments</span></a><span> have announced funds for people impacted by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span>'s </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/bushfires" rel="" target="" title="bushfires"><span>bushfires</span></a><span> to make claims for immediate support.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan visited the town of Harcourt today as the scale of the devastation continues to grow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My message to Victorians is pretty simple: We've got your back, not just during this crisis but through the recovery as well," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bushfires-victoria-family-shelter-shipping-container/fd0eaa95-b618-4597-b6ef-5cd6b2cf6691" rel="" target="" title=" 'It blew up': Family airlifted to safety with cat after sheltering in shipping container"><strong><span>'It blew up': Family airlifted to safety with cat after sheltering in shipping container</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We'll work cooperatively with the government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Allan said the community was grieving.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This will not be the end of the assistance for those fire-affected communities … we know there is a long recovery journey ahead," she said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/disaster-payments-bushfires-victoria-explained/b6463414-145b-4ecf-bb8c-331997422f4d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What support has been announced?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese today said his government was activating financial assistance through the </span><strong><span>Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)</span></strong><span> for people in areas affected by Victoria's bushfires.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>From 2pm on Wednesday, January 14, the payment will be available for eligible people in Barkers Creek, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Longwood, Longwood East, Natimuk, Ravenswood South, Ruffy and Sutton Grange.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of the bushfires.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bushfires-victoria-death-longwood-fire/6d742b08-2d80-4c4c-974f-5d917941adac"><strong><span>Body found in bushfire-hit area, prime minister and premier visit devastated town</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This support comes on top of the </span><strong><span>Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA)</span></strong><span> announced yesterday by the Albanese and Allan governments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That support, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state governments, is to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils impacted by fires that began on January 7.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Support for Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield and Murrindindi shires includes assistance with the establishment and running of emergency relief centres, personal and financial counselling, removal of debris from residential properties to make them safe and habitable, restoration of essential public assets, and counter disaster operations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The assistance may also be extended to other local government areas as the disaster unfolds, the governments said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Emergency relief assistance is also available for eligible people who have had their home damaged or destroyed by the fires, or their home was in an evacuation warning area and they have had to evacuate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family, to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How much can I claim?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To reiterate, the one-off payment from the AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The DRFA is a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How can I claim support?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For AGDRP, people can check their eligibility on the </span><a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-support?context=60042" rel="" target="_blank" title="Services Australia website"><span>Services Australia website</span></a><span>: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The quickest way to claim is online through </span><a href="https://my.gov.au/" rel="" target="_blank" title="myGov"><span>myGov</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To change or pause </span><a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrelink?context=1" rel="" target="_blank" title="Centrelink"><span>Centrelink</span></a><span> debt repayments, affected people can do so </span><a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrelink?context=1" rel="" target="_blank" title="online"><span>online</span></a><span> or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For the DRFA, if you think you may be eligible you can visit an Emergency Relief Centre or call the </span><a href="https://emergency.vic.gov.au/" rel="" target="_blank" title="VicEmergency"><span>VicEmergency</span></a><span> hotline on 1800 226 226.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This assistance can be accessed through the </span><a href="https://providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/personal-hardship-assistance-program" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's Personal Hardship Assistance Program"><span>Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's Personal Hardship Assistance Program</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Information about </span><a href="http://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief" rel="" target="_blank" title="relief and recovery support is available on the VicEmergency website"><span>relief and recovery support is available on the VicEmergency website</span></a><span>.</span></div></div>