Disability Intermediaries Australia extends our thoughts to all Participants, Providers and residents impacted by the devastating floods occurring in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The initial response from authorities has been focused on the safety of the communities in the impacted areas but as the physical threat eases the response will turn to recovery and providing emergency relief to those impacted.
Although the NDIA has not released any specific measures for Participants or Providers at this stage, they have released a brief statement:
We’re closely monitoring the ongoing flooding and severe weather events in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
In an emergency, you should always call 000. For your own safety, please follow the advice from your local emergency services. For the latest updates in your region, including evacuation orders, visit the NSW SES or Queensland SES websites.
Our priority is to support participants, their families and carers during this time. To ensure we can quickly provide support to any affected participants, we encourage you to contact the NDIS National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110.
We are prioritising all calls from participants affected by the severe weather events.
If you need urgent repairs or replacement of assistive technology, the NDIS National Contact Centre can authorise funds over the phone. Find out more about urgent AT repairs.
All NDIA offices remain closed in Queensland and NSW.
The Federal Government has made available disaster payments for those impacted by the current floods in South East Queensland. The government has indicated they will also extend this to residents in Northern NSW with more details to follow. Information of the eligibility and how to claim the disaster payments can be found at the Services Australia website here: Services Australia – Disaster Payments.
For Support Coordinators & Plan Managers
If you are support participants in the effected areas, please ensure you engage and contact with these participants to ensure that they are supported in during this critical time.
For Providers
DIA understands that there is likely to be service disruptions during this period, both for provider and intermediaries. It is important that during this critical time business continuity plans are implemented and managed in a collaborative and best manner possible to ensure critical supports continue for participants.
DIA again extends out thoughts to all of those impacted by this terrible natural disaster event and will provide updated information of particular interest to the disability community as soon as it becomes available.