Uninsured Aussies eligible for up to $52,000 after fire devastation

The new assistance to help people get back in their home is in addition to more widely available $1000 payments and a range of other support measures.

Uninsured Victorians whose homes have been badly damaged or destroyed in Victoria's bushfires may be eligible for tens of thousands of dollars to help them get back on their feet.

The new assistance is in addition to more widely available $1000 payments and a range of other support measures announced by the state and federal governments after fires destroyed more than 350 homes and other structures across the state.

Premier Jacinta Allan today said payments of up to $52,250 would be available to help those without the insurance cover they needed "re-establish their principal place of residence".

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"My message to Victorians is pretty simple: We've got your back, not just during this crisis but through the recovery as well," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Albanese said yesterday in a visit to Harcourt alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

"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."

Allan said the community was grieving.

"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.

What support has been announced?

Albanese on Saturday said his government was activating financial assistance through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) for people in areas affected by Victoria's bushfires.

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.

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.

It's a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

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This support comes on top of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) announced on Saturday by the Albanese and Allan governments.

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.

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.

The assistance may also be extended to other local government areas, the governments said.

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.

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.

What about those without insurance?

Help has also been announced to help uninsured residents affected by the fires get back in their homes.

From Friday, January 16, they will be eligible for payments of up to $52,250 in funds in a partnership between the Commonwealth and Victorian governments.

"It is there to help those people who have not been able to be insured," state Natural Disaster Recovery Minister Vicki Ward said today. 

"It's to help them re-establish their place of residence.

"So if you haven't got the money that you need to start to re-establish yourself, if you don't have building or contents insurance, if you cannot return home because of the damage that is there or the destruction, if you cannot get to your home for more than seven days, you may well be eligible for this payment and I encourage you to find out more."

Mental health support was also increased today, through the expansion of the Victorian government's existing Over the Farm Gate drought support program to those in fire-affected areas. 

"It's in recognition that alongside the physical rebuilding, there's a lot of trauma, a lot of impact - that we also need to support people individually with the trauma that has been experienced but also families and communities as well," Allan said.

"When I said there's a long rebuilding journey, that includes taking care of people, taking care of people who have experienced terrible, terrible fire."

How much can I claim?

To reiterate, the one-off payment from the AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

The DRFA is a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family.

How can I claim support?

For AGDRP, people can check their eligibility on the Services Australia website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport

The quickest way to claim is online through myGov.

If people need help to claim, they can call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

To change or pause Centrelink debt repayments, affected people can do so online or in the mobile app (through the Money you owe service), or by calling 1800 076 072.

For the DRFA, if you think you may be eligible you can visit an Emergency Relief Centre or call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

This assistance can be accessed through the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's Personal Hardship Assistance Program.

Information about relief and recovery support is available on the VicEmergency website.