Ontario Activates Disaster Recovery Assistance for City of Windsor, Town of Tecumseh and the Town of Lakeshore
Ontario has notified the City of Windsor, the Town of Tecumseh and the Town of Lakeshore that it has activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program in these communities due to recent flooding.
Affected individuals, small businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations who have experienced essential property damage or loss as a result of this disaster may be eligible to receive help with expenses. More information and detailed program guidelines are available at ontario.ca/disasterassistance.
Flooding related to sewer backup is not eligible for assistance under Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians, except for applications that meet the criteria under special provisions for low-income households.
Those affected by the flooding may also call toll-free at 1-844-780-8925 for more information about the program.
Event type: Flood
Event date: September 28, 2016 (ongoing)
Geographic Area (subject to change):
City of Windsor
Town of Tecumseh
Town of Lakeshore
What is the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program?
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians is designed to help people affected by natural disasters get back on their feet.
The program provides financial assistance to homeowners, tenants, small owner-operated businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations. It helps to cover emergency expenses and costs to repair or replace essential property after a natural disaster.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing may activate the program in the event that a natural disaster such as a flood or a tornado affects a community. Ontarians can apply for assistance under the program if they are located in the area for which the program has been activated.
Does Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians cover all costs related to natural disasters?
No. The program provides partial financial assistance to return essential property to its basic function. The program also covers some emergency expenses such as evacuation costs.
Here are some important things to keep in mind about Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians:
- Financial assistance is limited to 90 per cent of an applicant’s total eligible costs.
- The maximum amount of assistance available per application is $250,000.
- Financial assistance is subject to a $500 deductible, which may be waived for low-income households.
- Many emergency expenses, household appliances and furnishings are subject to caps on the eligible amount of assistance. (See below)
The program is not intended to replace insurance coverage. Applicants will not receive financial assistance for costs that are covered by insurance.
Eligibility Caps
| Bedrooms | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Bed linens (sheets, pillows, pillow cases, blankets, or bed-in-a-bag) | $325 |
| Bedroom suite (excluding bed) | $425 |
| Adult bed (mattress, box spring, frame) | $800 |
| Child bed (mattress, box spring, frame) | $700 |
| Kitchen / Dining Area | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Dishes and cutlery (fewer than three people in household) | $80 |
| Dishes and cutlery (three or more people in household) | $160 |
| Table and four chairs (fewer than three people in household) | $400 |
| Table and six chairs (three or more people in household) | $625 |
| Small appliances (e.g., kettle, toaster, microwave, coffee maker, toaster oven) | $300 (Max. $100 per item) |
| Kitchen miscellaneous (e.g., dish towels, kitchen cooking utensils) | $80 |
| Refrigerator | $900 |
| Stove / range | $700 |
| Freezer | $500 |
| Infant/Child Essentials | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Infant essentials (e.g., bed/crib, pad, blankets, mattress, playpen, stroller, car seat, high chair) |
$1,110 |
| Booster seat for car | $40 |
| Bathroom Essentials | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Curtains / blinds | $30 |
| Towels and toiletries (fewer than three people in household) | $140 |
| Towels and toiletries (three or more people in household) | $220 |
| Main Gathering Room | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Couch / seating (fewer than three people in household) | $600 |
| Couch / seating (three or more people in household) | $1,000 |
| Television | $450 |
| Main gathering room furnishings (e.g., tables, lamps) | $300 |
| Laundry / Cleaning Room | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Household miscellaneous (e.g., broom, iron, ironing board, mop, laundry supplies) |
$85 |
| Vacuum | $250 |
| Clothes dryer | $500 |
| Clothes washing machine | $500 |
| Other Household Items | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide detector (one per bedroom) | $50 |
| Landline phone (receiver unit) | $40 |
| Cellphone (physical unit – if no landline) | $250 |
| Dehumidifier | $250 |
| Computer hardware, software and peripherals | $1,000 |
| Essential Clothing | $1,000/person |
| Food in long-term storage (e.g., deep freezer) | $500 |
| Evacuation and Emergency Living Expenses | Eligibility Cap |
|---|---|
| Emergency accommodation (e.g., hotel) | $120/night (4 persons) |
| Restaurant meals | $40/person/day |
| Pets boarded to kennels | $20/cat/day $40/dog/day |
| Evacuation by own vehicle | 40¢/km in Southern Ontario 41¢/km in Northern Ontario |
| Emergency clothing and personal care items | $500/person |
CONTACTS
Conrad Spezowka
Communications
416-585-7066
[email protected]
Mark Cripps
Minister’s Office
416-585-6842
[email protected]
Ministry of Municipal Affairs
http://www.ontario.ca/municipal
