NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009PSSG0036-000665 November 20, 2009

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

 

PROVINCE APPROVES DISASTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

 

VICTORIA – Due to recent heavy rainfall causing flooding in some areas of Vancouver Island, the Province is approving Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA), Public Safety Minister Kash Heed announced today.

 

 “Record rainfall has caused rivers and waterways to rise to flood levels in some communities on Vancouver Island,” Heed said. “We are approving Disaster Financial Assistance for those impacted areas.”

 

Currently the following areas are eligible for consideration for DFA: Comox Valley Regional District, Nanaimo Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District and Strathcona Regional District.

 

To be eligible for assistance, the damage must be from an uninsurable event such as overland flooding. Snowload and wind damage are examples of insurable damage and therefore not eligible for DFA assistance.

 

The DFA program helps eligible homeowners, residential tenants, farms, small businesses and charitable organizations when property is damaged by uninsurable disasters, including certain floods and mudslides. For acceptable claims, the program covers up to 80 per cent of the portion of a claim exceeding $1,000, to a maximum of $300,000. Local governments are also eligible for DFA.

 

DFA claim forms and more information about the program are available at www.pep.bc.ca or by calling 1-888-257-4777.

           

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Contact:

Media Relations Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 250 356-6961

 

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