Commonwealth assistance will be extended to areas in Victoria affected by severe rainfall and flooding over the weekend, according to Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

Mr McClelland said the activation means people impacted by the flooding will have access to Personal Hardship Grants under the Natural Disaster Recovery Relief Arrangements (NDRRA) as well as the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and the Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy (DIRS).

Personal Hardship Grants under the Natural Disaster Recovery Relief Arrangements jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Government include emergency Grants of up to $1,067 to provide assistance to meet immediate basic needs; temporary living expenses of up to $865 per week for up to 10 weeks to assist households with the cost of temporary accommodation and living expenses; and re-establishment grants of up to $8,650 for repairs to structural damage to a residence and $8,650 to replace essential household contents such as furnishings and electrical goods.

“The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children has already been activated for communities in Victoria affected by flooding last month,” said Mr McClelland.

“This payment will be automatically extended to communities where the Victorian Government determines an area is disaster affected and will receive NDRRA assistance during February.

“The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy will also be extended for employee and small business owners who have been unable to work or have lost income as a result of the flooding.

The Commonwealth Government is already providing assistance across 27 Local Government Areas in Victoria impacted by the flooding that occurred in January.