Financial assistance expanded for people affected by flooding

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) eligibility has been expanded for people affected by flooding and landslides from Nov. 14 to Dec. 2, 2021, and now includes British Columbians in the northwest, southwest, central, and southeast areas of the province and on Vancouver Island.

This assistance includes all Indigenous communities, electoral areas and municipalities within those geographic boundaries. DFA is available to homeowners, residential tenants, business owners, farm owners, and charitable organizations that were unable to obtain insurance to cover disaster-related losses. DFA is unable to compensate for losses for which insurance was reasonably and readily available.

Individuals, small businesses, farms and charitable organizations can access the DFA application online and applications will be accepted until March 3, 2022: http://www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance

Indigenous communities and local governments that have infrastructure damage because of the recent flooding should submit a local government DFA application as soon as possible and no later than March 3, 2022: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/financial/communities-dfa.

For a map of eligible Indigenous communities, electoral areas and municipalities, see: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/dfa/embc_provincial_overview_flood-2021.png

Facts about Disaster Financial Assistance:

• Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000, to a maximum claim of $300,000.
• Claims may be made in more than one category (e.g., homeowner and farm owner).
• A homeowner or residential tenant must show that the home is their principal residence.
• Seasonal or recreational properties, hot tubs, patios, pools, garden tools, landscaping, luxury items (e.g., jewelry, fur coats and collectibles) and recreational items (e.g., bicycles) are not eligible.
• Small business owners and farm owners must demonstrate that their farms and businesses are their primary source of income.
• Charitable organizations must provide a benefit of service to the community at large.

Information, eligibility criteria, categories and applications can be found by calling toll free 1 888 257-4777 or visiting https://ca.edubirdie.com/blog/disaster-financial-assistance