HOMES and businesses could be entitled to financial help if they’ve been affected by recent flooding – here’s what you need to know.
Large parts of the UK were hit by torrential rain and winds of up to 97mph after Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis swept through earlier this month.
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Storm Ciara landed on February 9, followed just days later by Storm Dennis on February 15, in a double weekend of poor weather.
If your home or business was affected by the storms, you could be eligible for money to repair any damage.
Financial support is also being offered to properties in flood-prone areas to protect families from future flooding.
Here we’ve rounded up what you need to know and how you can apply.
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What help is available?
The UK government has triggered the Flood Recovery Framework to support those hit by the recent flooding.
This is a scheme that’s activated when a wide-spread area is impacted following severe weather.
Under the Flood Recovery Framework, homes and business in England can claim the following support:
- Flood-hit households can apply for up to £500 in financial hardship payments.
- Flood-hit households and businesses can apply for a 100 per cent council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.
- Flood-hit businesses can apply for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant.
- Flood-hit homes and businesses can apply for up to £5,000 from the Property Flood Resilience Scheme to help make them more resilient to future flooding.
In Wales, the government has also launched its Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme.
Homes in affected areas can apply for the following support:
- Flood hit-households can apply for up to £500 in financial hardship payments.
- Flood hit-households without flooding insurance can apply for an additional £500 in financial hardship payments.
In Scotland, flood-hit homes might be entitled for financial aid under the Bellwin Scheme.
The Bellwin Scheme is money set aside for local councils to allocate to homes and businesses following large-scale emergencies.
The Scottish government has yet to reveal how much money has been made available, or how much money affected homes would be entitled to.
How do I know if I am eligible?
The help offered by the UK government applies to areas in England where 25 or more homes have flooded.
The scheme is open to flood-hit households and businesses in West Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire.
Other areas that may also be eligible include Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
In Wales, the worst-hit county was Rhondda Cynon Taf but the government suggests thousands of homes have been affected in total.
Home and businesses are being advised to get in contact with their local council to check if they’re entitled to financial support.
Likewise, the Scottish government has not released a list of places where residents could be eligible for help.
Check with your local authority to see if you are entitled to funding.
How do I apply?
Homes and business in England, Scotland and Wales can apply by contacting their local council.
A full list of councils in England can be found on the GOV website, the My GOV site for councils in Scotland, and the WLGA website if you live in Wales.
Residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf can also apply through this website.
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