Media Contacts

Emergency Management BC

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-4585

Backgrounders

Facts about Disaster Financial Assistance

Applicants should be aware of the following:

  • Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000, up 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 (such as jewelry, fur coats and collectibles) and recreational items (such as bicycles) are not eligible for assistance.
  • Small business owners and farm owners must demonstrate that their businesses and farms are their primary source of income.
  • Charitable organizations must provide a benefit of service to the community at large.

Assistance is available to local governments for:

  • emergency response measures authorized by Emergency Management BC (EMBC) according to response task number.
    • These include incremental costs associated with their emergency operations centre.
    • Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100%.
    • Completed response claim summaries and supporting documentation must be sent to the respective EMBC regional office.
  • recovery measures to replace essential materials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructure to the condition it was in before the disaster.
    • Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000.