Posted on 07/06/2009, 10:10 am, by mySteinbach

Up to $40 million will be made available for a Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) Program for areas affected by spring flooding, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton, minister responsible for the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), announced.
 
“We are doing everything possible to help those Manitobans impacted by this year’s flood,” said Ashton. “Many of the eligible claims have already received financial assistance and the remainder are being processed as quickly as possible.”
 
The $40 million is based on the assessment of damages resulting from flooding earlier this spring. Property damage from the 2009 spring flood has resulted in more than 1,000 applications for disaster financial assistance.
 
“The damage caused by flooding throughout the province and heavy ice on the Red River this spring was significant,” said Ashton.
 
Ashton said payments have started and will continue to flow throughout the summer. The province has added temporary staff to make the financial assistance process as efficient as possible.
 
As previously announced, the maximum amount that a private citizen can receive under DFA was doubled this year. A private citizen applicant can now claim for eligible costs of up to $200,000 or the assessed value of their home, farm or business.
 
The province will also adjust the cost-sharing agreement with municipalities and improve it by capping the current cost-sharing sliding scale to five dollars per capita of municipal expenditures. After municipal spending has reached five dollars per capita, the province will assume 100 per cent of the costs. Currently, municipalities pay the first 10 per cent of their total claim.
 
Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said he is very pleased with the announcement.
 
“This will greatly lessen the burden shouldered by municipalities after severe flooding and shows the spirit of co-operation between the province and municipalities,” said Dobrowolski.  “The province has listened to our concerns and addressed our needs by making it significantly easier for municipalities to recover from this year’s flooding and any future disaster.”
 
Manitoba has approached the federal government to cost share disaster financial assistance payments.
 
When a disaster strikes, DFA is generally available for evacuation costs, costs to prevent or limit imminent damage and for non-insurable damage to basic and essential property such as principal residences, buildings and other non-insurable losses essential to the operation of eligible farms and small businesses.
 
DFA claims are subject to a 20 per cent deductible. Basic and essential items such as furniture, fixtures, appliances and clothing are eligible for DFA.
 
Application forms and further details about DFA are available online at www.manitobaemo.ca or by contacting the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization at 204-945-4772 or 1‑888‑267‑8298 (toll‑free).  Applications are also available at most municipal offices.