New funding scheme announced for Kilkenny households flooded during Storm Chandra

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that the Emergency Response Payment (formerly the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme) is now available for households directly affected by Storm Chandra in Kilkenny.

The support helps households facing hardship due to flooding or severe weather damage and can assist with essential immediate needs, replacement of essential household items, and urgent structural repairs, depending on the stage of the scheme.

The payment is divided into three stages and  depends on the extent of the damage and your ability to meet the cost of repairs.

GALLERY: Check out these pictures of flooded Kilkenny from the sky!

Stage One - Provides emergency support payments (food/clothing/bedding) in emergency situations where people experience loss through flooding, or structural damage to their home due to a weather or other event with no income test applied. Applications for Stage One will close seven calendar days after the end of the event. Applications after seven calendar days will be processed as means tested Additional Needs Payment

Stage Two - Provides income-tested financial support to people for the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items where there is a valid reason why these were not covered by insurance and where the person can demonstrate that it is essential that the items are replaced and that they do not have the financial resources to cover these costs themselves. Applications for Stage Two will close three months after the event.

Stage Three - The scheme is also income-tested, and it covers costs for essential structural repairs to a person’s primary residence where the person does not have the resources to cover the costs involved. The type of repairs, includes plastering, dry lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting. These costs are only covered if they are essential, result directly from damage caused by a severe weather event and there are valid reasons as to why household insurance was not in place. All costs are subject to expert assessment by a loss adjuster. In cases of structural damage, the payment is designed to return a person’s home to a liveable condition. Applications for Stage Three will close six months after the event. - MORE DETAILS HERE

If you need further support, contact the Community Welfare Service on; 0818 60 70 80