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
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.