Disaster Financial Assistance

Help available for people with flood damages

Anyone with damages from the storm and flooding on October 10th can get financial help to rebuild and repair their homes and property.

The province has a Disaster Financial Assistance Program that covers uninsurable damage to items like basic household goods, appliances (washers, dryers, furnaces), and structural damage to the home. For information about this program, call 1-866-424-5620 or email emo@novascotia.ca.

Apply for Disaster Financial Assistance

  • Application forms are available from Access Nova Scotia Centres, your town hall, or local MLA’s office.
  • Confirmation from your insurance company that you are not insured (or are only partially insured) for the storm damage is required. There is a one-page letter available with the application form that you can have your insurer fill out.
  • If you are not insured, please note that on the application form.
  • There is no deductible for this incident.
  • The maximum amount under this program is $200,000 for individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. This should cover most claims. If claims exceed the $200,000 amount, EMO will review on a case-by-case basis.
  • If you have any questions or need help with the application, call 1-866-424-5620 or email emo@novascotia.ca.

Qualifications

  • Individual homeowners, residents, and small businesses with revenues not exceeding $2 million who have been impacted by the October 10th flooding qualify. Non-profit organizations, which provide essential services to their communities, also have access up to $200,000 in eligible assistance under these disaster financial assistance programs.
  • Renters are also eligible. People who are renting may apply for assistance for the contents they lost in their home or apartment. The building owner may apply for assistance for structural damage or appliances, etc.
  • Disaster Financial Assistance applies to primary dwellings. Non-primary dwellings (cottage, hobby farm, etc.) do not qualify.
  • You are eligible for urgent funding from United Way or CBRM, and the Disaster Financial Assistance program but the same expense will not be covered twice.

Damage to driveways
Owners with damage to driveways are encouraged to apply.

Loss of vehicle
This program does not cover cost recovery for vehicles.

Turnaround time for applications
The turnaround timing ultimately depends on the complexity of the cases.

Assessment process
Once your application is submitted with all of the required information, a provincial representative will visit your home to confirm damage and make a recommendation for payment.

If insurance does not cover losses
There is a one-page form that your insurance company fills out to confirm you are not covered for your losses. This form accompanies the application.

If you don’t have insurance
You may still be eligible for some coverage under the program, but it will not be the same as if they had insurance. Here’s a simple example: Homeowner A and Homeowner B both have $30,000 in damages but only Homeowner A has insurance. Homeowner A can get $15,000 covered by their insurance company and another $15,000 from the Disaster Financial Assistance program. Homeowner B would also receive $15,000 from the Disaster Financial Assistance program. Every situation is unique and applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis

Outside of Cape Breton but has been impacted by the heavy rainfall
We want to help as many people as we can. If you have been impacted by the heavy rainfall and live outside of Cape Breton, please submit an application.

To Apply

Please complete the application form that applies to you.

Application Forms:

The application process will require a signed letter from your insurer, and letters from your accountant and lawyer in the case of a small business. Letter templates are provided.

Letter templates

To get your application started, email the completed form to emo@novascotia.ca then send a signed copy of the completed form and related letters to:

Disaster Financial Assistance
P.O. Box 2581
Halifax, NS B3J 3N5

Once your application has been received, a representative from the office will contact you.

If you do not live in Cape Breton but have received damage to your home because of the recent rain, please contact the Emergency Management Office at 1-866-424-5620.

If you have any questions, please call 1-866-424-5620.