Kildare homes eligible for cash to cover Storm Éowyn costs including fridge contents

Storm Éowyn left its mark on Ireland last week with thousands of people still waiting for their power to be restored following significant damage to lines.

Many also sustained damage to their homes or lost out financially as a result of the storm, but there is a little-known fund that could help. While some losses will be covered on home insurance policies, for those not covered, the Government's Humanitarian Assistance Scheme could be the answer.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is an income-tested scheme that provides emergency financial assistance to households affected by a severe weather event such as flooding, and could cover costs incurred like wasted food in your fridge, if not already covered on your insurance.

It is administered by the Community Welfare Service.

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The scheme provides financial support to people who have suffered damage to their home. It is designed to help you meet the cost of essential needs and repairs rather than provide full compensation for losses or damage.

What does the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme cover?

The scheme covers:

- Emergency income support payments
- Damage to your home and its essential contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding
- Structural damage

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The scheme is usually only available to help people who have been impacted by a severe weather event, but the Department of Social Protection can extend it to cover other exceptional circumstances at their discretion.

What does the scheme not cover?

The scheme does not cover:

- Losses covered by an insurance policy
- Loss of items deemed to be not essential or luxury items
- Commercial and business losses
- Loss or damage to private rented accommodation or local authority accommodation

How do I qualify for help under the scheme?

Your household’s income is assessed to determine your household’s ability to meet the costs of restoring your home to a habitable condition.

All household income will be considered in the income test. You do not have to be getting a social welfare payment to qualify.

How does the income test work?

How the income test works depends on the number of people in the household.

When you apply, you will need to provide personal and financial details for each person who lives in your home and explain their relationship to you.

If you are single

If you have a gross household income of €50,000 or less, you will get 100% of the amount allowable.

For each whole €1,000 of household income above €50,000, you will be required to make a 1% contribution to the amount allowable.

For example, if you are:

Single, and Have a gross household income of €55,000

You will get 95% of the amount allowable (€5,000 over the income limit of €50,000 = 5% personal contribution towards the loss).

If you are in a couple

If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting and have a combined gross household income of €90,000 or less, you will get 100% of the amount allowable.

For each whole €1,000 of household income above €90,000, you will be required to make a 1% contribution to the amount allowable.

For example, if you are:

Married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, and

Have a combined gross household income of €105,000

You will get 85% of the amount allowable (€15,000 over the income limit of €90,000 = 15% personal contribution to the loss).

Increases for qualified children

The income limits are increased by €15,000 for each qualified child.

One-parent household

The income limits that apply to couples also apply to one-parent households: €90,000 plus €15,000 for each dependent child.

Non-dependent adult household members

For each non-dependent adult member of the household, 20% of their gross income is added to the household income.

For example, a household with:

A couple with a gross income of €85,000, and
A non-dependent adult with an income of €20,000
Will receive 100% of the amount allowable as the household income is less than €90,000 (€85,000 + €4,000 [€20,000 x 20%] = €89,000).

If you have no insurance

If you had no insurance and you do not have reasonable grounds for not having insurance:

- You will be expected to contribute the first €2,000 toward the amount allowable, and
- Your personal contribution will be 2% for each whole €1,000 above the appropriate income level for your household

How much can I get under the scheme?

How much is paid under the scheme depends on how severe the damage is and your ability to meet these costs.

Where the cost of structural repairs is estimated to be more than €5,000, the Department of Social Protection will appoint and get advice from a loss adjudicator.

In assessing cases for humanitarian assistance, account will be taken of Additional Needs Payments already paid out.

How do I apply for the scheme?

To apply for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, you should complete the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme application form (pdf).

You can also get the form from your local Community Welfare Service or from your local Intreo centre or branch office.

You must include the following with your application, where available:

Evidence of household income (pay slips, etc)
Estimates for repairs or replacement
A copy of your insurance policy
Paid invoices/receipts
Any other information which may support your claim

You should send your completed application form to the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) at your local Community Welfare Service. Information in this article was obtained from the Citizens Information website.