Support for Bushfire impacted clients - Financial support & ATO lodgement extensions
We hope that all of our clients, your families and friends are safe during this difficult Summer/Bushfire period.
Re ATO Support
The ATO have identified postcodes of affected areas and granted automatic deferrals of lodgement and payment. https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/dealing-with-disasters/
However, not all affected areas in the Rural City of Wangaratta, Alpine Shire, Towong Shire and Indigo Shire's are currently listed for the automatic extensions (e.g. Whitfield, Myrtleford & Bright). We expect the list of postcodes granted automatic extension to grow as the ATO receive updated information.
If you have been impacted by the Bushfires and would like the ATO extensions be applied to you, please let us know and we will follow up for you.
All the very best, stay safe and please let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Re Financial Support
There is a range of financial support available at both State & Federal levels to assist clients affected by the bushfires.
We recommend reviewing each of the financial support program details per the websites listed below as each program caters for different situations. Once you identify a program call the respective authority to discuss your eligibility.
The Federal assistance packages (which are listed on the State websites) are:
Income support
Disaster Recover 'Allowance'
Call Department of Human Services 180 22 66
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/victorian-bushfires-december-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance?fbclid=IwAR1F_LG4ZJWaNHd6Mew-Z5V8VcqKgZEIWDzc5BFYCCOtnOy6mL_9OJKK69A
One-off payments
Disaster Recover 'Payment'
Call Department of Human Services 180 22 66
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency/bushfires?fbclid=IwAR1Y_G3u_hc72wFA7jcpBPJd8WiLKPY9ZjrQjpVhoj3wZYpMnA2vRes64xs
The State programs are listed on the links below:
Victoria
https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/?fbclid=IwAR0JIadEbQ6v_YO5D2K8sHg5hfYrV-2xjQ4HgWPuMKe99lvwR95Ox_LgYEM#financial_assistance
(select 'Financial Assistance' from the left hand menu)
NSW
https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/financial-support.aspx
Please contact us if you need any assistance in applying for the financial support which will be free of charge.