Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected Storm Éowyn.

The scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

The reminder of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme comes as Status Red weather warnings were in effect for the whole country this morning, while many have now been issued with Status Orange warnings.

Trees have fallen across the country, with much property damage, and over 700,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power.

In dealing with emergency events the department generally adopts a three-stage approach as follows:

Stage 1: Provides emergency support payments for food, clothing and personal items in the immediate aftermath of the event;
Stage 2: Involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items;
Stage 3: Identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

The rate of payment depends on the extent of the damage and your ability to meet the cost of repairs. The scheme does not cover risks that are already covered by insurance policies or cover business or commercial losses.

Payments are based on an income test on all household income, which measures your household’s ability to meet the costs of restoring your home to a liveable condition.

However, income limits do not apply to payments made under Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

If any homeowners affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, they can get in contact with community welfare services.