Disaster Financial Assistance for communities

Last updated on December 13, 2024

Geographic areas were added and the application deadline extended for the current eligible event.

This page is for Indigenous communities and local governments. The DFA process for individuals, small businesses, farms, and charitable organizations is different.

After a disaster, the provincial government may declare the event eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). Once declared, a DFA program for that event is opened which may provide communities with financial assistance for damaged infrastructure.

About the programs

DFA programs help communities recover by providing partial reimbursement for eligible infrastructure repairs. Programs accept applications from Indigenous communities and Local Government bodies as defined under Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Funding may be provided to cover

Rebuilding or replacing essential public infrastructure to the pre-disaster condition
Repair to or replacement of essential materials
Removal of unusually heavy deposition in gravel beds, proven to be directly related to the event and supported by maintenance records
Insurance deductibles
Costs of inspection, appraisal, planning, and design required to determine the cost of repair, rebuilding, or replacing infrastructure or essential materials
Up to 10% of the eligible, incurred, construction costs of a project for administration. Must exclude salaries from regular employees
Compensation costs a community is obligated to pay under part 1 of the Compensation and DFA Regulation

By regulation, we can't cover

Work undertaken as preventative measures to guard against future damage as a separate project, or part of a DFA project component
Repair, replacement or rebuilding of public facilities which:
- there is no proof of ownership, title or rights assigned
- were not maintained or had significantly deteriorated before the disaster through neglect or undue wear and tear
Enhancements from pre-event functionality unless required by the prevailing codes in the area
Eroded or damaged land, except for essential access routes and the removal of debris
Betterments suggested by qualified professionals as a “best practice” which are not required by a prevailing code
Temporary works
Normal operating expenses such as equipment or regular salaries
Landscaping

For complete information, see part 3 and schedule 5 of the Compensation and DFA Regulation.

Eligible events

DFA event details
Geographic area (subject to change)	Those impacted by overland flooding following recent disaster or emergency event(s) may be eligible to apply for disaster financial assistance. City of Port Coquitlam City of Coquitlam City of North Vancouver District of West Vancouver District of North Vancouver Squamish First Nation Village of Anmore City of Port Moody City of Surrey
Type of event	Overland flooding
Date of event	October 18, 2024 – October 20, 2024
90-day deadline for applications	March 13, 2025

Apply to open programs

Complete the fillable PDF application for Indigenous communities and local government
- Once you've completed the application, please email it to DFA.Public@gov.bc.ca
- If you experience any difficulty with the online form, please email DFA.Public@gov.bc.ca
- Process Chart (PDF, 270.4 KB)
Submit a completed Infrastructure Cost Recovery Plan

Infrastructure Cost Recovery Plan

You'll need to prepare a recovery plan that addresses repair or replacement of essential materials, structures, and public works. This should provide enough information to assess for eligibility under the Compensation and DFA Regulation.

Include supporting documentation that clearly shows what infrastructure was damaged, what was the condition pre-event and what is the least-cost option to restore the damaged infrastructure to pre-event functionality.

Complete the Infrastructure Cost Recovery Plan (ICRP)(XLS, 37KB), this includes instructions and samples
- Engineer tip sheet and sample report (PDF, 2.8MB) this is optional, use as required for your recovery plan
Submit by:
- E-mail: DFA.public@gov.bc.ca
- Fax: 250-952-5542
- Mail: DFA / PO Box 9201 Stn Prov Govt / Victoria B.C. V8W 9J1

Submit Recovery Claim

After completion of a phase, or overall project from your approved recovery plan (ICRP), you can submit a recovery claim for reconciliation and/or reimbursement. Supporting documentation must be included with each claim to confirm accuracy of costs and compliance with the approved recovery plan.

Complete Recovery Claim Submission (XLS)
- Recovery claim document checklist and tip sheet (PDF, 201KB)
- Cost Share Calculator (XLSX, 174 KB) - Use this to determine the estimated local authority share of expenses. Please note that local authorities with no population will contribute the minimum 5%.
Submit by:
- E-mail: DFA.public@gov.bc.ca
- Fax: 250-952-5542
- Mail: DFA / PO Box 9201 Stn Prov Govt / Victoria B.C. V8W 9J1

Questions?

Contact the Disaster Financial Assistance team with your questions or for more information.

Email: DFA.public@gov.bc.ca
Telephone: 1-888-257-4777 (toll-free)

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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