Disaster Assistance Program Extended

EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Disaster Assistance Program Extended

People who suffered losses during the heavy rains and floods in March have another two weeks to apply for disaster financial assistance from the province. Nova Scotia's Emergency Measures Organization announced today, May 5, that it has extended the deadline to Tuesday, May 20, at 4:30 p.m.

"We realize that many people have had difficulty getting quotes for repair work and responses from insurance companies because of the volume of requests due to damage," said Tim Olive, Minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. "Therefore, we have extended the deadline for applications by two weeks to take into account these concerns."

The policy allows for modest assistance to individuals to help restore primary residences and to small businesses that have been placed in jeopardy because of uninsurable damage caused by a disaster.

Application forms can be picked up at local municipal offices and once completed, returned to these offices.

Information on the Disaster Financial Assistance Program is available on the Emergency Measures Organization's Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/emo .

A toll-free phone line 1-800-898-7668 (in Halifax Regional Municipality call 424-5851), is available to handle inquiries related to the financial assistance program. The line is staffed on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays to Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.