Disaster assistance is now available in 23 local government areas after horrendous storms and flooding has impacted large areas of Sydney and the New South Wales coast.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Individuals whose homes or belongings have been damaged can claim the payment.

There will also be assistance for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged roads and essential public assets.

Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt told Mark Levy that financial support is “crucial”.

“Our heart goes out to everyone and we will be working extremely hard to help people recover,” he said.

Click below to hear the Minister detail which LGAs are eligible for the payment 

Image: Nine