Service
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme provides emergency financial assistance to households affected by a severe weather event. It is administered by the Community Welfare Service.
The scheme aims to lighten the hardship rather than provide full compensation for damage.
The scheme may cover:
- emergency income support payments
- damage to your home and its essential contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding
- structural damage
The scheme does not cover:
- losses covered by an insurance policy
- loss of items deemed to be inessential or luxury items
- commercial and business losses
- loss or damage to private rented accommodation or local authority accommodation
Payments are based on an income test on all your household income, which measures your household’s ability to meet the costs of restoring your home to a liveable condition.
The rate of payment depends on the extent of the damage and your ability to meet the cost of repairs.
You can apply through Community Welfare Services. Learn how to access Community Welfare Services here.
An application form is available to download here or from your your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
This form is used to apply for income tested financial assistance to eligible households who have suffered damage to their homes following a severe weather event. Updated - February 2021
Depending on your claim, you may also need to provide:
- evidence of household income (for example, pay slips)
- estimates for repairs or replacement
- a copy of your insurance policy
- paid invoices or receipts
- any other information which may support your claim
