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Fairmont approved for Disaster Financial Assistance
With the magnitude of the recent debris flow event in Fairmont Hot Springs, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) made application to the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre for what is called Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA).
There is an application process and if DFA is approved by the province for a specific area, homeowners can fill out claim forms and submit them for a portion of the damages / clean up costs that are not covered by insurance. Today we learned that Fairmont has been approved for DFA.
This is a provincial program and is totally separate from the RDEK, but in our past experience, there are some things that can assist eligible homeowners for a DFA claim:
Include photos (lots of photos) – especially photos of before and after damage
Include a damage assessment – the RDEK building inspectors did some damage assessments of affected homes after the event. Anyone who had a damage assessment completed can include that with their claim.
All receipts related to clean up costs.
A claim denial – homewoners will have to check with their insurance companies to determine if their policies cover the damages. If not, they need to have a written letter of denial from their insurance company.
Applications for Disaster Financial Assistance, are on EMBC’s web site at http://www.pep.bc.ca/dfa_claims/dfa.html.
The Disaster Financial Assistance Program Guidelines (Available on EMBC’s web site at http://www.pep.bc.ca/dfa_claims/dfa.html. )
The Disaster Financial Assistance Program Application Form (Available on EMBC’s web site at http://www.pep.bc.ca/dfa_claims/dfa.html. )
EMBC is encouraging people to submit their applications as soon as possible; however, the deadline for EMBC to receive application forms is November 8. On the application form, it will be important to say the damage occurred on July 15 – 16, as these are the dates approved by the province for DFA for Fairmont.
This is a provincial assistance program, and will only cover a portion of costs for approved claims. It is totally separate from the RDEK, so if you have questions about the program, including eligibility and eligible clean up costs, you can contact Emergency Management BC’s office at 1-888-257-4777.
Once the claim has been submitted, the homeowner will work directly with the province.
Hard copies of the forms will soon be available at the RDEK’s Columbia Valley office and it is hoped that a location will be found in Fairmont.
RDEK
