Emergency financial assistance if a flood happens

The Emergency Financial Assistance scheme is managed by your local council and covers any flooding incidents from 1 April 2013 to 31 May 2013. If you can show that you have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding, you may be eligible for a payment of £1,000.

Will I be considered for payment?

You may be considered for payment under the Emergency Financial Assistance scheme if you are a householder and have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding during the period 1 April 2013 to 31May 2013 which was caused by heavy snow or rainfall.

You will need to demonstrate to your local council within 31 calendar days of the incident that you have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of the flooding. There must be evidence of one or more of the following:

significant flooding of your home, including under-floor damage in the living areas
damage to septic tanks caused by flooding, resulting in facilities being temporarily out of order
damage to oil tanks or boilers resulting in non-operation
flooding of garages/utility areas where essential primary household utilities are installed (defined as cooker, refrigerator, freezer and washing machine only) and which have been damaged and are unusable
flooding of caravans where these are the main place of residence (holiday caravans are excluded from the scheme)

Eligibility for payment

You also need to meet certain eligibility criteria. To find out if you are eligible, you should contact your council.

Local councils in Northern Ireland (contacts section)

If you are able to demonstrate that you have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding during the period 1 April 2013 – 31 May 2013, caused by heavy snow or rainfall, you may be eligible to receive a payment of £1,000.

Only in an exceptional case will more than one such payment be made to any individual household within any 12 month period.

Non-eligibility for payment

Here are some reasons which will mean you cannot receive payment:

if your house is flooded due to a structural defect not caused by the flooding incident itself
if the property is vacant
if the application is from a private landlord in respect of a property which is not their main residence

This is not a comprehensive list – to find out if you are eligible you will need to contact your local council.

Local councils in Northern Ireland (contacts section)

How quickly will I get help?

Once councils have evidence that you have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of the flooding and that you meet the criteria, they should make the payment within a few days.

Will I get help with the clean up?

Individual councils will decide whether they have the resources to offer practical help with the clean up of homes.

Local councils in Northern Ireland (contacts section)

Is the £1,000 payment a form of compensation?

The £1,000 payment is not a form of compensation. It is intended as practical assistance to help make your home habitable as quickly as possible if you have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of the flooding.

Are caravans and holiday homes eligible to be considered under the scheme?

The scheme will not cover holiday caravans or holiday homes. The payment is intended as practical assistance to help make your home habitable as quickly as possible if you have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of the flooding.

The scheme will apply to a caravan if it is your main home.

If my farm or business is damaged will I get help?

No, the scheme does not cover farmlands or businesses that have been flooded.

The scheme applies only to householders who have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding to their main place of residence. However, where this is the main place of residence and a business, such as a B&B or a farmhouse, you will be eligible for consideration.

Are tenants eligible?

Yes, if you are a tenant who has suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding to your home you will be eligible for consideration.

If my garden is damaged by floodwater will I get help?

Following inspection of your property, your council may assist with practical arrangements for the clean up of your garden in certain circumstances.

Local councils in Northern Ireland (contacts section)

Will cars damaged by floodwater be eligible?

No. Car owners may be able claim compensation in respect of damage to their cars from their motor insurance.

Is there a time limit to claim for emergency financial assistance?

You must notify your council within 31 calendar days of the date of the flooding incident. However, it is wise to contact your council as soon as possible so that they can gather all necessary evidence of flooding.

Local councils in Northern Ireland (contacts section)

Am I eligible if my apartment block has been flooded?

Payments under the scheme will only be made to householders in apartment blocks if they have suffered severe inconvenience. This may be as a result of flooding of storage rooms, within basements of apartments that contain specified household utilities which have been damaged and are unusable.