N.B. announces more details on Disaster Financial Assistance program following Fiona
The New Brunswick government announced more details on its Disaster Financial Assistance program for residents in need of help following post-tropical storm Fiona.
The program, which was announced on Sunday, was designed to provide assistance for eligible damages and losses that "threaten the health and safety of individuals and communities."
“There is a lot of work to be done in the coming weeks and months to recover. We expect hurricane Fiona’s damage total will exceed the $35 million paid out for hurricane Dorian in 2019,” said Public Safety Minister Bill Hogan in a news release Thursday. “We are committed to making sure disaster financial assistance helps our friends and neighbours get back on their feet as fast as possible.”
RECOVERY PROCESS
The province says the first step New Brunswickers must take is reporting any damage to the government as soon as possible. Residents affected by property damage related to Fiona on Sept. 23 or Sept. 24 can report it by calling 1-888-298-8555 or by registering online.
The Service New Brunswick TeleServices line is available to receive calls between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
"The Damage Report Line program allows residents, tenants, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to receive information and register their hurricane-related damage with a single phone call," read the news release.
"Damage assessments will be reviewed, and health and safety inspection teams will be dispatched if required."
As of Wednesday, the province says it has received 164 damage reports in areas from the Nova Scotia border, along the Northumberland Strait to the Acadian Peninsula, including inland areas.
Health and safety teams are already in the field inspecting homes and businesses. The province says these inspections are free but a damage report must be filed first.
There are 112 requests for inspectors, 13 of which were completed on the first day of operations.
New Brunswickers are reminded to:
- Contact their insurance companies immediately to report damage.
- Take photos of damage to their homes or properties.
- Keep receipts of any repairs and replacement purchases.
- Log the number of hours of work undertaken for residents who are cleaning their own properties, or family members or those who have assisted in the cleanup of their property.
Satellite offices will be set up in affected areas in the coming days for people who want help in person with the application process.
The deadline for homeowners, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to submit an application is Jan. 31, 2023. Anyone with questions can call 1-888-553-8558.
In case of issues with the insurer, the province says residents may call the Office of the Consumer Advocate for Insurance at 1-888-283-5111.
DISASTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
New Brunswick says residents, small business owners – including those in agriculture and aquaculture – and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for the Disaster Financial Assistance program.
Eligible claim limits include:
- maximum claim limits by individuals for structural damages will be $200,000
- maximum claim limits for small businesses and eligible not-for-profit organizations will be $500,000
- maximum monthly housing rental costs will be $1,500
- advance payments for eligible claimants will be up to $20,000
The province says advance limits are issued when individuals could get back in to their homes more quickly with early financial support after initial damage assessments.
The province reminds residents that the Disaster Financial Assistance program does not pay for any damage or loss that is covered by an insurance policy.
"Claimants must contact their insurance provider first to determine if coverage will be provided. If affordable coverage was available and not purchased, the Disaster Financial Assistance claim cannot be approved," wrote the province in the news release.
The program will assist with covering the costs of basic-needs items, like basic repairs to structural damage to a family home or small business.
It will also cover costs for essential items such as:
- appliances that could not be removed from flood danger (for instance, a refrigerator, stove, washer or dryer)
- clean up (labour to remove damaged materials and contents from basement)
- removing trees and objects that pose a safety threat
- driveway repairs
- retaining wall repairs
The news release says the program does not cover items such as:
- seasonal residences – like cottages or camps – or recreational equipment such as boats, all-terrain vehicles or travel trailers
- outbuildings, such as sheds, barns and detached garages
- decks
- erosion or landscaping
- luxury items, such as jewellery
Eligible not-for-profits and small businesses – including farms and others in agriculture and aquaculture – can also receive disaster financial assistance for damage to buildings, inventory and furnishings.
Salaries, lost profits and insurable loss are not covered.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.