Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

• Information
• Rules
• How to apply

Rules

The scheme will provide hardship alleviation assistance, as opposed to full compensation, to householders affected by the flooding. Eligibility will be subject to an income test.

What is covered by the Scheme:

Emergency income support payments to those in need.
Damage to a person’s home and its basic essential contents, such as:

• carpets,
• flooring,
• furniture,
• household appliances and bedding.
• Structural damage may also be considered. 

What is not covered under the Scheme:

Income test

The basic principle of the income test will be to determine the household’s capacity to meet the costs of restoring their home to a habitable condition. All household income will be considered when determining entitlement to a payment.

Further details of the income test can be found here.

How much can be paid to individual applicants?

• The Government has not set a limit on the amount that can be paid to an individual household under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.
• Levels of payment will depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet these costs.
• Where structural work is an issue, the Department may get advice from a loss adjustor.
• In assessing cases for humanitarian assistance, account will be taken of Exceptional Needs Payments and Urgent Needs Payments already paid out.

How to apply

To apply for Humanitarian Assistance you should complete Humanitarian Assistance application form. This form is available from either the Departments website or from your Local Supplementary Welfare Allowance administrative office - contact details here.

Where available it is essential that the following items be enclosed with your application:

The Humanitarian Assistance Income Test

The objective of the income test will be to determine the household’s capacity to meet the costs of restoring their home to a habitable condition.  All household income will be considered when determining entitlement to payment. The basic principle of the income test is that individuals and families with average levels of income will qualify for assistance. 

Single Persons

Single persons with a gross household income of €30,000 or less will receive 100% of the amount allowable. For each whole €1,000 of household income above €30,000 the person will be required to make a personal contribution of 1% toward the amount allowable.

For example a single person with a gross income of €25,000 will receive 100% of the amount allowable and similarly a single person with a gross household income of €35,000 will receive 95% of the amount allowable (€5,000 in excess of the €30,000 limit = 5% personal contribution to the loss)

Couples

Couples with a gross household income of €50,000 or less will receive 100% of the amount allowable. For each whole €1,000 of household income above €50,000 the couple will be required to make a personal contribution of 1% toward the amount allowable.

 For example a couple with a gross income of €45,000 will receive 100% of the amount allowable and similarly a couple with a gross household income of €65,000 will receive 85% of the amount allowable (€15,000 in excess of the €50,000 limit = 15% personal contribution to the loss)

Qualified Children

An additional allowance of €10,000 per qualified child should be added to the income level for each qualified child.

One Parent Household

One parent households should have the same income limit applied as a couple i.e. €50,000 plus €10,000 for each dependent child.

For example a one parent household with two dependent children [the income limit is €70,000 (€50,000 plus 2 X €10,000)] with a gross household income of €65,000 will receive 100% of the amount allowable and a one parent household with two dependent children with a gross household income of €80,000 will receive 90% of the amount allowable (€10,000 in excess of the €70,000 limit = 10% personal contribution to the loss)

Persons who opted not to Insure

In cases where there is no insurance and the person does not have reasonable grounds for being in that situation, the person will be expected to contribute the first €2,000 toward the amount allowable and thereafter the personal contribution will be 2% for each whole €1,000 per annum of income above income level appropriate to the household.

Non Dependent Adults in Households

It is anticipated that situations will arise where there will be non dependent adults living in the house. In such situations it is reasonable to expect that the non dependent adult would make a contribution to the replacement of essential losses having regard to their ability to contribute. For the purpose of calculating household income 20% of the non dependents income should be added to the household income when calculating the personal contribution.

For example a couple with a gross income of €45,000 with a non dependent adult in the house with an income of €20,000 will receive 100% of the amount allowable (€45,000 plus €4,000 [€20,000 X 20%] = €49,000) as the household income is less than €50,000.

Similarly a couple with a gross household income of €65,000 with a non dependent adult in the house with an income of €20,000 will receive 81% of the amount allowable as they have a household income of €69,000 (€65,000 plus €4,000 [€20,000 X 20%]) which is €19,000 in excess of the €50,000 limit and as such equates to a 19% personal contribution to the loss.