In the aftermath of Storm Chandra, the Emergency Response Payment excludes cover for flood damage to vehicles, rented properties, business losses, and other expenses.
This week heavy rains led to major flooding primarily across Counties Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin, leaving households and businesses flooded and vehicles submerged almost completely in water.
Many households had to be evacuated in areas like Enniscorthy in Wexford, with thousands of houses and businesses experiencing loss of power. A cleanup operation is still underway.
In the wake of the destruction, the Department of Social Protection has opened applications for the Emergency Response Payment, which replaces the former Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, for residents of affected properties.
The means-tested payment is intended to assist those whose homes have been damaged by flooding or extreme weather and who are unable to meet immediate expenses for basic necessities, household goods, or repair work.
However, the Department stressed that it does not provide “general compensation” for damage or losses incurred.
The scheme does not cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses, losses covered by an insurance policy, or losses “which could reasonably be expected to have been covered by an insurance policy.”
It also does not cover “loss of items deemed to be inessential or luxury items.”
“Structural loss or damage to rented accommodation” is excluded, as is damage to “any additional properties that are not occupied and lived in as the primary residence.”
Neither will the Government be paying for the “repair or replacement of motor vehicles”.
Levels of payment under the scheme depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet these costs from their own resources.
“This ensures that the funding is appropriately targeted,” the Department said in a statement.
What will be covered will be things like “immediate and essential costs” such as food, clothing, and bedding; this will not be income-tested.
The scheme will also cover “the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items where there is a valid reason why these were not covered by insurance and where the person can demonstrate that it is essential that the items are replaced and that they do not have the financial resources to cover these costs themselves.”
Lastly, the Government will fund “essential structural repairs to a person’s primary residence where the person does not have the resources to cover the costs involved.”
The type of repairs includes plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.
“These costs are only covered if they are essential, result directly from damage caused by the emergency event and there are valid reasons as to why household insurance was not in place. All costs are subject to expert assessment by a loss adjuster,” the Department said.
While Stage 1 is not income tested, income testing does apply to Stages 2 and 3 of the scheme.
The income limits for Stages 2 and 3 of the scheme are as follows:
– €50,000 for a single person
– €90,000 for a couple
– €15,000 per dependent child
“If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, they can contact the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80,” the Department said.
“Further information on the Emergency Response Payment is available at gov.ie – Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (www.gov.ie).”