Immediate Financial Emergency Assistance for Alberta Fires evacuees
Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Question: How will evacuees receive the emergency financial assistance?
     

    Answer: There are a number of scenarios to receive immediate financial assistance based on individuals’ and families’ registration details. They are listed as follows:

    • An electronic transfer of funds for those who registered with the Red Cross before noon on May 11, 2016 and provided an email upon registration. This would have then been followed by a confirmation email sent to you by the Red Cross, confirming your registration details. Once your email address was confirmed, you should have received an electronic transfer of funds.
    • For those who have registered with the Red Cross and have already confirmed their registration details, but do not have access to online banking  or have declined the electronic transfer of funds– the Canadian Red Cross will follow up with you in the coming days to ensure you receive the financial assistance in an alternative way.  
    • For those who have registered with the Canadian Red Cross before noon on May 11, 2016 but do not have an email address or did not provide an email address –  if you have confirmed your information with the Red Cross , and have received an SMS text with further instructions, you can visit any Canada Post office in Canada to claim your emergency financial assistance, according to the information you provided to the Red Cross upon confirming your registration. 
    • For those who have registered with the Canadian Red Cross before noon on May 11, 2016 but have not yet received a confirmation email to confirm your registration details – we sincerely appreciate your patience at this difficult time and will be in touch with you to provide your immediate financial assistance in the coming days.
    • For those who have not yet registered with the Canadian Red Cross, you need to register to be eligible to receive assistance. Visit www.redcross.ca/registration so we can meet your needs moving forward.

  2. Question: How do evacuees pick up a Money Gram cheque from Canada Post?

    Answer: Evacuees who did not provide an email address upon registration are being provided financial assistance through a Money Gram cheque from Canada Post, as oppose to an electronic transfer of funds. This is because without an email address, an electronic transfer of funds done through online banking is not possible.
     
    Evacuees who registered with the Canadian Red Cross before noon on May 11, 2016 and have confirmed their information with the Red Cross, should receive an SMS text with further instructions. Evacuees can then visit any Canada Post Office in Canada to claim financial assistance in the amount of $600 per adult and $300 per child, according to the information provided to the Red Cross upon confirming their registration.
  3. Question: How do evacuees deposit the electronic transfer of funds?
     
    Answer: Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions regarding the electronic transfer of funds.
  4. Question: When will evacuees receive the emergency financial assistance?
     
    Answer: The distribution of immediate financial assistance from the Red Cross is currently underway.  This is being done through a variety of ways, including electronic transfer of funds through email, money orders, cash cards, or vouchers – depending on people’s current location in Canada and the quickest, most secure way to receive these funds.
  5. Question: Why $600 per adult and $300 per child?

    Answer: Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, the Canadian Red Cross is providing $600 per adult and $300 per child  to help provide another method of immediate emergency assistance, as thousands of people still remain out of their homes and communities. This is based on our standards for providing assistance to families during a disaster. This initial support is still part of the emergency relief operation. As people return home and communities become accessible, we will look to reach the most vulnerable based on a case by case basis. This is identified through confidential personal assessments throughout the rebuilding and recovery process.

  6. Question: Will evacuees who have relocated outside of the province of Alberta receive assistance as well?

    Answer: Yes – Red Cross assistance is coordinated and can reach people wherever they are now located in Canada.
  7. Question: Can evacuees still register with the Red Cross?

    Answer: Yes – for those who have not yet registered with the Canadian Red Cross, you need to register to be eligible to receive assistance. Visit www.redcross.ca/registration  so we can meet your needs moving forward.
  8. Question: Am I eligible to receive both the Red Cross and government financial assistance?

    Answer: Yes – The financial assistance being provided by the Red Cross to evacuees is entirely separate from assistance being provided by the government.
  9. Question: What are your plans with the rest of the funds?

    Answer: The Canadian Red Cross is committed to standing by those affected not only during this time of emergency, but in the weeks, months and years ahead, as we help individuals, families and entire communities to rebuild and recover from this devastating disaster.  As people return home and communities become accessible, we will look to reach the most vulnerable based on a case by case basis. This is identified through confidential personal assessments throughout the rebuilding and recovery process. Details regarding Red Cross recovery assistance will be announced in the coming weeks, as