Disaster Assistance Program Announced

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--CXN--Disaster Assistance Program Announced

The province of Nova Scotia has announced a Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement (DFAA) for those who incurred uninsurable losses from the effects of Hurricane Juan.

Financial assistance will be made available to people to help restore their primary residences to a level of basic habitability. It will also be available to help small businesses if damages jeopardize the financial viability of the business. Assistance will also be available to help municipalities restore essential public services to a pre-disaster condition.

"The main focus at this point is to continue to respond to the damage caused by Hurricane Juan," said Ernest Fage, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. "As the clean up begins, people naturally start to worry about how they are going to pay for the damage and if there will be any assistance. We want to let the public know that if any have uninsurable loses help will be available if they require it."

The total extent of damage provincewide is unknown at this point because assessments are ongoing. Under the terms of the arrangement, if eligible expenses exceed $1 per capita, or about $960,000 the federal government would normally provide cost shared funding.

Under terms of the province's disaster assistance policy, help is only available for uninsurable damages. This means that if losses sustained in the hurricane are, or could have been, insured through personal or corporate insurance, then they are not eligible.

Claims for assistance are subject to a $1,000 deductible and a $50,000 limit per applicant.

The Emergency Measures Organization has also met with the Insurance Bureau of Canada to discuss coverage related to Hurricane Juan. The insurance bureau has confirmed that most homeowner and automobile policies should cover the majority of the wind damage caused by the hurricane, including broken windows and damage to freezer contents.

"I was very pleased to hear the Insurance Bureau of Canada reassuring its customers that property insurance will respond to storm-related damage," said Mr. Fage. "Between the individuals' own insurance and the province's disaster financial assistance program, Nova Scotians should be reassured that they will receive the needed support."

Information on how to obtain applications will be advertised through the local media in the near future.

kjd October 1, 2003