The Canadian Red Cross has announced direct financial assistance to eligible New Brunswickers impacted by the spring flood, providing $300 per household. These funds are not intended to replace losses but to help meet basic needs that each recipient household can determine for themselves.
In as many cases as possible, funds will be distributed over the next few days through electronic funds transfers directly into the bank accounts of eligible households that have registered with the Red Cross, provided an email address which is needed to initiate the financial transaction, and are able to conduct online banking. Alternate arrangements will be made with eligible households that do not use online banking, or who do not have an e-mail address or a bank account. Households that have not already registered can still do so by calling toll-free 1-800-863-6582.
Canadian Red Cross assistance will be offered to eligible homeowners or tenants whose primary residence was in a flood-impacted area as confirmed by government, and as a direct result of the flooding were:
- evacuated from their primary home for more than two days; or
- were without power for more than three days; or
- had water damage and/or sewer backup; and
- who self-identify to the Red Cross that they face financially difficulty to replace contaminated or spoiled food, or to purchase additional cleaning supplies.
These funds are available thanks to donors across Canada who have contributed to our New Brunswick floods appeal, which the Red Cross launched on May 3 and to date has generated about $650,000.
Depending on the final amount of donations to the Red Cross and number of households that register for help, additional support may be provided later to meet specific needs of households facing the greatest hardship, as determined through one-on-one assessments.
This financial aid from the Canadian Red Cross is complimentary to — but separate from — funding that residents may receive through insurance, or the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) offered by the provincial government, or aid from any other organizations.