Disaster Recovery Programs

Overview

We are providing financial assistance for uninsurable loss and damage caused by emergencies and disasters.

After a disaster, the affected municipality can apply for a Disaster Recovery Program and if the municipal application is approved, affected residents can apply for financial assistance.

For more information about the types of disasters covered, visit Disaster assistance and recovery support.

For information on what disasters are considered covered by insurance, visit Insurable disasters.

2020 recovery programs

The following municipalities have been approved for Disaster Recovery Programs to help residents, businesses and not-for-profit organizations recover financially from flooding that occurred in 2020.

East Central Alberta

Village of Acme

2020 Northern Alberta floods

Newly added communities:

Previously included communities:

Calgary and area

Northeast quadrant of the City of Calgary, City of Airdrie and Rocky View County

Damages caused by overland flooding are eligible for a disaster recovery program. Hail, sewer backup and insurance deductibles do not qualify under the program, as insurance coverage is considered reasonably and readily available for these issues.

Albertans are encouraged to work with their insurance providers for damages caused by the storm.

For more information, call the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422, or visit them online. Albertan’s can also visit the following sites if they are having issues with their insurance providers:

• Superintendent’s consumer claims complaint info, including Dispute Resolution Process
• Insurer Ombudsperson (PDF, 331 KB)
• Independent General Insurance Ombudsman Service (which all Property insurers subscribe to)

Individuals who have not chosen to insure their property or belongings, or those who do not have adequate insurance, will not be eligible to receive funding through the disaster recovery program.

How to apply

• homeowners and residential tenants can fill out and submit your application through our online portal below
• small business, landlords, not-for-profit institutions, condo associations, cooperatives and farmers can download and fill out a PDF application in the Fillable applications section below

Information for applicants

The fact sheets below provide you with important information relevant to your application process:

• Homeowner and residential tenants
• Appui aux propriétaires et locataires d’habitation
• Small businesses and landlords
• Appui aux petites entreprises et aux propriétaires bailleurs
• Agricultural operations
• Appui aux exploitations agricoles
• Not-for-profit organizations and business cooperatives
• Appui aux organismes et coopératives sans but lucratif

Steps for completing your application

1. Contact your insurance company to confirm your coverage for losses/damages from the disaster event.
2. If your losses/damages are not covered, submit your application to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency within 90 days of a disaster recovery program being approved for your community.
3. A case manager is assigned to work with you on your file.
4. You will then complete and assessment to determine if you qualify for assistance.

If you qualify, the following applies

1. Submit your insurance information.
2. We will evaluate your damages.
3. Submit materials to support your application.
4. Calculate the amount you are eligible for following the Alberta Homeowner and Small Business Disaster Assistance Guidelines.
5. Receive payment for eligible amount and file is closed.

Apply online

To complete an online application for homeowner and tenant assistance from the Disaster Recovery Program, you will need a MyAlberta Digital Identity (MADI). If you do not have a MADI account, sign up on the MyAlberta Digital ID website.

Users should receive their verification code via mail within 10 days, but may use their temporary or unverified MADI ID, which should be received within 20 minutes of applying. You may complete your pre-qualification screening application without a verification code.

Once your MADI account is activated, visit the Disaster Financial Assistance Portal.

Note,  if your application is for a property on a First Nation’s reserve, you need to contact Indigenous Services Canada to discuss your application.

Fillable application forms

If you are an eligible small business, not-for-profit institution, agriculture operation or landlord, or Irrigation District, you can complete the fillable PDF application form below and email it to [email protected], or mail it to:

Alberta Emergency Management Agency
5th Floor, Terrace Building
9515 107 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2C1

• Small business: Statement of Loss and Damage Application (PDF, 167 KB)
• En Francais: Declaration de perte et de dommages Petite entreprise (PDF, 99 Ko)
• Irrigation District: Statement of Loss and Damage Application (PDF, 109 KB)

Steps to take following a disaster

After a disaster has affected your property, it is hard to know where to start. Here are some steps you should take post-disaster:

• contact your local government directly or visit their website to see if there are any supports available to you in the area which may include assistance with clean up
• take pictures of:
  • all damaged items before you throw anything away or make any repairs
  • the inside and outside of your property
• contact your insurance company and open a claim. If you experience issues with your insurance provider or have concerns, visit Getting your insurance claim settled: know your options for more information
• contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422
• begin clean-up and repair work
  • Contact your local municipality to ensure you have all required building permits, authorizations, and approvals in place for rebuilds or repairs. Repairs and rebuilds must meet current codes and regulations to be eligible for program assistance.
  • Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning your property
• record all of the time you spend cleaning up and making repairs. Read Cleaning your home after a flood for more information
• keep copies of all receipts for clean-up, repairs, and replacement of damaged property (repairs are not required to be completed before submitting your application)
• contact your local government and ask about the potential for a Disaster Recovery Program in your area
• ask for a letter from your insurance company indicating your insurance coverage and any exclusions – if a Disaster Recovery Program is approved in your community, this will be required as part of your application
• protect yourself financially by reviewing the following fact sheets:
  • Information about price gouging
  • Information for tenants and landlords
  • Hiring a contractor

Disaster Assistance Guidelines 2020

• Alberta Homeowner, Tenant and Small Business Disaster Assistance Guidelines (2020)
  Includes applicant information for:
  • residential tenants
  • landlords
  • agriculture and farming operations
  • not-for-profit and cooperatives
• En Francais : Declaration de perte et de dommages Demande personelle (PDF, 109 Ko)
• En Français : Directives d’aide aux sinistrés du secteur prive de l’Alberta 2020 (PDF, 656 Ko)
• Alberta Public Sector Disaster Assistance Guidelines (2020)

Resources

• DRP Application for Review (Appeal) (PDF, 96 KB)
• Emergency Preparedness – Preparing for the Flood Hazard Season
• Comment se préparer à la saison des inondations en Alberta

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-888-671-1111
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Alberta Emergency Management Agency
5th Floor, Terrace Building
9515 107 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2C1