UPDATE 4.45pm: TWEED Shire Mayor Katie Milne has welcomed the Category C assistance provided to Murwillumbah-based small businesses.

Eligible applicants in Murwillumbah, South Murwillumbah, Condong and Bray Park will be able to access grant support of up to $15,000.

Cr Milne said the Category C support allowed small businesses affected by the recent flood a chance to get back on their feet.

"The floods and the clean-up have taken such an emotional and physical toll on everyone involved," she said.

"Small businesses and primary producers are a really important part of our community life and this sort of support is critical to helping them get back on their feet.

"The damage, clean-up and recovery costs have been significant, these grants will help, but it's so important at this time that we continue to shop local and get behind these businesses that have lost so much."

Councillor Pryce Allsop, who also suffered extensive damage to his South Murwillumbah gas business, said these grants would go a long way in helping businesses recover from the flood damage.

"It will be super helpful," Cr Allsop said.

"This week, we've ordered thousands of dollars of stock and product we simply must have. My wife has been saying we're going to get a big bill at the end of this month and I hope we can cover our bills.

"So this is really going to mean the difference to us. Stock we've sold, we know we can pay for and this is a stimulus."

To apply for a recovery grant, small businesses in the local government areas above can contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or by visiting the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website.

EARLIER: GRANTS of up to $15,000 will be made available to flood-affected small businesses and non-profit organisations after the Federal Government agreed today to extend Category C assitance to Murwillumbah.

The assistance is expected to be extended to additional flood-hit areas of the Tweed - like Chinderah, Tumbulgum and Uki - in coming days, once the application process is completed.

Lismore MP Thomas George, whose electorate takes in Murwillumbah, said the Category C assistance was provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to affected communities within the Tweed local government area.

"Today's additional assistance will ensure eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations can access grants of up to $15,000 to assist with their clean-up and recovery costs," Mr George said.

"We know that small businesses are the life blood of regional communities in particular, so it's vital that we give them a helping hand to get back on their feet." 　

The assistance is available to eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations in impacted parts of Murwillumbah.

"Assessments have been carried out rapidly to ensure those who have lost so much have the support they need to rebuild their livelihoods," Mr George said.　

"Small business owners are often the first to lend a helping hand when a community is doing it tough, and today we are supporting them on their journey to recovery."

Mr George thanked Flood Recovery Coordinator Euan Ferguson, Tweed Shire Council, Murwillumbah District Business Chamber and local businesses for providing the vital information needed to make the application successful.

He said today's assistance was in addition to the assistance already provided under the joint Commonwealth-State NDRRA announced on March 31.

The announcement comes as Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten visited Murwillumbah today, urging the Government not to forget the North Coast.

Earlier in the week, Richmond MP Justine Elliot issued an urgent plea to the Federal and NSW Governments to activate the Category C funding.

Category C assistance is only made available when the impact of a disaster is severe. It is intended to be in addition to assistance under Categories A and B and is usually considered once the impacts of the disaster on affected communities have been assessed.

What is covered?

• Cost of clean-up and restoration costs
• Cost of relocation to temporary premises where immediate re-opening of damaged premises are not possible
• Damage to plant/equipment
• Replacement of damaged/spoiled stock

What is NOT covered?

• damage to dwellings
• damages covered by insurance
• cost of using your own labour, your existing staff or your own equipment
• loss of income/trade
• all capital items purchased after the flood

To apply for a recovery grant, small businesses in the Tweed can contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or by visiting raa.nsw.gov.au.

Further information on disaster assistance is available at disasterassist.gov.au and emergency.nsw.gov.au.