The Disaster Relief Grant Program (DRG) is an individual grant program based on eligibility not entitlement. This program is for those most in need and least able to return to a safe, basic and liveable home.

If your home or essential household contents were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for the Disaster Relief Grant for individuals.

The financial assistance is provided to help people to recover from the effects of a disaster and re-establish a basic standard of living. It is not provided to replace insurance or compensate for losses.

The grants assist low-income residents who have no other means of restoring their homes to a safe and habitable condition following a disaster event.

Assistance falls into two categories: 

1. Essential Household Contents assists low-income residents who have no other means of purchasing or repairing these essential household items and are not covered by insurance. Rough sleepers can apply for a small grant that is contribution to replacing essential items, such as a tent and sleeping bag.
2. Structural Grants provide a contribution toward essential structural works for households unable to meet the cost of repairs and may also assist in relocation-related costs. These grants assist low-income homeowners who have no other means of restoring their homes to a safe and habitable condition.

If the natural disaster event has caused damage to a temporary dwelling, assistance provided will depend on the type of temporary dwelling. There are several types of temporary dwelling support available, including support for people living in caravans, houseboats and relocatable homes and rough sleepers.

To apply

To see if you are eligible call Service NSW on 13 77 88. Service NSW will transfer you to Revenue NSW who will discuss with you what is required and determine if you may be eligible to receive an application form.

Before you can apply for a grant, you need to ensure you are eligible and be able to provide sufficient evidence of your eligibility. There are 6 eligibility criteria which you can read about in detail in the DRG guidelines and the FAQ.  If you are a renter, you can only apply for a Household Good Grant:

• Criteria 1 Income: You must be a low-income earner
• Criteria 2 Insurance: You're unable to claim costs under an insurance policy or you are uninsured
• Criteria 3 Principal Place of Residence: The damaged property is your principal place of residence
• Criteria 4 Cause of Damage: The damage was caused by a natural disaster
• Criteria 5 Within Scope: It has been less than 6 months since the disaster, and that the grant provided allows for the safe and habitable return of a resident to their home.
• Criteria 6 Realisable Asset: That you do not have any assets that could be used to support you post disaster.

You cannot apply if:

• you're able to claim under insurance
• the damaged home is an investment property that you do not live in
• lack of maintenance has caused the damage
• the damage is minor and repairs are not essential to live in the property.

• Phone: 1300 069 550