New One-Stop Shop Customer Care Specialists For Bushfire Victims

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP today announced that local families and businesses impacted by the devastating recent bushfires can now access all available assistance being offered by local Councils, the NSW Government and Commonwealth Government, through the NSW Government’s new Bush fire Customer Care program.

Mr Ward said that this one-stop shop service, administered by Service NSW, would connect affected people with a Customer Care specialist, who can check their eligibility for assistance and help them access it.

“People’s lives are already stressful enough after these devastating recent bushfires, which is why the NSW Government has created this new service that cuts through red tape and helps people access support as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Once a specialist has identified eligible assistance across all layers of Government, they will then do the heavy lifting to make it happen.

“This service will also meet another emerging need, by matching people with the many charities which have raised money from many generous Australians,” Mr Ward said.

Service NSW is working in partnership with fellow state agencies, local government and the Australian Government.

The Customer Care specialists will operate like case managers and connect bush fire affected customers with services and support information including:

• Accommodation advice;
• Relevant charitable services;
• Mental health and wellbeing services;
• Support for businesses;
• Clean-up services;
• Financial assistance;
• Insurance and legal support;
• Replacing lost ID; and
• Volunteer RFS and SES payments.

Mr Ward said that these specialists would also assist business owners who have been hit hard.

“Businesses are often the lifeblood of a community and we are here to help owners and operators get back on their feet,” he said.

“To connect with a Customer Care specialist call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88. The Contact Centre hours have been extended to include weekends while communities recover. 

“Information about the Customer Care service is also available in Service NSW Centres, NSW Recovery Centres and Mobile Service Centres in affected regions,” Mr Ward concluded.

Further information is available on the website at: www.service.nsw.gov.au.