Disaster Financial Assistance eligibility expanded for those affected by flooding and landslides

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. government announced that Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) eligibility has been expanded for people affected by flooding and landslides from Nov. 14 to Dec. 2, 2021.

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.

Residents who experienced damage from flooding and landslides in the northwest, southwest, central, and southeast areas of the province, along with Vancouver Island, are eligible. DFA includes all Indigenous communities, electoral areas, and municipalities within those geographic boundaries.

The province says DFA is unable to compensate for losses for which insurance was reasonably and readily available, although it will continue to assess each individual applicant by applying its existing legislative criteria.

(B.C. Government).

Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80 per cent 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, such as homeowner and farm owner. Seasonal or recreational properties, hot tubs, patios, pools, garden tools, landscaping, luxury items, and recreational items 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.

Emergency Management BC (EMBC) will accept applications until March 3, 2022.