LEGAL Aid NSW is reminding residents on the east coast of NSW that free legal help is available following the 2025 floods, with people encouraged to speak to a lawyer about their insurance claim.
New data from Legal Aid NSW shows that from May 2025 to present, Legal Aid NSW has provided over 1,700 services in the region.
Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Valley locals are encouraged to seek advice over insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, workplace rights, government disaster grants and other legal problems.
“We don’t just help with insurance,” said Dominique Brown, a Legal Aid NSW senior outreach solicitor
“If your life is disrupted in any way because of a disaster – for instance, through loss of employment – we can help.
“If you’re unsure if you have a legal issue you can check with us, we’re here to help.
“We can also help people as they navigate whether they are eligible for the various disaster response grants.”
Ms Brown said many people were only now ready to seek legal advice 12-18 months after the 2025 floods.
“Many people are only really emerging from the crisis stage of the disaster now,” she said.
“They’re having insurance claims rejected or dealing with housing or tenancy issues despite more than a year having passed since the floods.”
Ms Brown said it was essential that people got legal advice if their insurer denied a claim, because they might still be eligible for compensation.
“Even if people have had a claim approved or denied, we encourage them to seek a review as they could be entitled to more.”
Legal Aid NSW can help people affected by disaster in Armidale, Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock City, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog Shire, Kempsey Shire, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Walcha.
People affected by the east coast floods can access free legal help by calling 1800 801 529 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday.
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