New One-Stop Shop Customer Care Specialists for Bushfire Affected Communities

Bushfire affected families and businesses can now access all available assistance being offered by local councils, the State Government and Federal Government, through the NSW Government’s new Bushfire Customer Care program.

Member for Manly James Griffin said the 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.

“It is good to see the Government act quickly to create this new service that cuts through red tape and helps people access support as quickly as possible,” Mr Griffin 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 generous Australians, including on the Northern Beaches.”

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 bushfire 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 Griffin said the specialists will 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,” Mr Griffin said.

“Many of us on the Northern Beaches do business throughout NSW and it’s important we get the economies on the fire front back to normal as soon as possible.”

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.

Further information is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au.