Humanitarian Assistance available for SDCC Households and Businesses

Humanitarian assistance has been made available to households and businesses in SDCC area by the Department of Social Protection and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

SDCC are asking all households and businesses living in properties directly affected by Storm Chandra to contact the relevant department office at the below contact details ahead of the deadlines below.

For individual residents: 

• Contact your local Community Welfare Service
• Fill out  Humanitarian Assistance Scheme application form (HAS2) (pdf)
• You must include the following with your application, where available:
  • Evidence of household income (pay slips, etc)
  • Estimates for repairs or replacement
  • Two itemised quotations for cost of structural repairs (from a registered building contractor or tradesperson) *
  • A copy of your insurance policy
  • Paid invoices or receipts*
  • Any other information which may support your claim
  • *All quotations/estimates/invoices/receipts must be from registered providers.
• Send your completed application form to the Community Welfare Officer at your local Community Welfare Service.

For small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies:

• Contact the Irish Red Cross

Red Cross Assistance

The Red Cross have asked that we continue to publicise their dedicated phone line for distressed people for businesses, Community, Voluntary and sporting bodies impacted by Storm Chandra. – 01 6424648

See link to the information on their website in relation to the scheme: Flooding Scheme for Small Businesses Affected by Storm Chandra - Irish Red Cross

What support is available to households?

The Department of Social Protection has announced the Emergency Response Payment (formerly the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme) is now available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Chandra.

This payment provides “immediate financial support to people whose homes are damaged by flooding or other severe weather events and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair”.

It is administered by the department’s Community Welfare Service.

The payment helps meet the cost of essential needs and repairs, rather than full compensation for losses or damage.

It does not cover “damage or losses that are insured under home insurance policies or would be reasonably expected to be insured”.

The rate of payment depends on the extent of the damage and a person’s ability to meet the cost of repairs.

What does the Emergency Response Payment cover?

It might cover the following items:

• food, clothing and bedding where loss is experienced through flooding or structural damage to your home due to a severe weather event
• damage to your home and its essential contents, such as carpets, flooring, furniture, household appliances and bedding
• structural damage

It does not cover:

• losses covered by an insurance policy, or which could reasonably be expected to have been covered by an insurance policy
• loss of items considered not essential, or luxury items
• commercial, agricultural or business losses
• structural loss or damage to rented accommodation
• any additional properties that are not occupied and lived in as the primary residence
• repair or replacement of motor vehicles

How do you apply?

Contact your local Community Welfare Officer directly.

The department generally adopts a three-stage approach for applications.

In stage one, people who have been affected by emergency events such as flooding can apply for financial support, which is not means tested. People who wish to avail of this payment must do so by 18th February 2026.

Applications received after the 18th February 2026 will instead be processed under the means-tested Additional Needs Payment.

Applications for stage one will close on Wednesday, February 18th.

In stage two, people can apply for financial support to replace so-called white goods – appliances such as washing machines and fridges; as well as furniture and other essential household items.

This stage in the process is income tested.

When applying, a person must outline “a valid reason” why these items were not covered by insurance and “demonstrate that it is essential that the items are replaced and that they do not have the financial resources to cover these costs themselves”.

Applications for stage two will close three months after the event in question.

Stage three is also means tested. It covers costs for essential structural repairs to a person’s primary residence where the person does not have the resources to cover such costs.

Such repairs include plastering, dry lining, relaying of floors, electrical rewiring and painting.

“These costs are only covered if they are essential, result directly from damage caused by a severe weather event and there are valid reasons as to why household insurance was not in place,” a statement from the department noted.

“All costs are subject to expert assessment by a loss adjuster.”

Applications for stage three will close six months after the event.

What support is available to businesses?

The Department of Enterprise has confirmed it will activate the Business and Community Flooding Support Scheme in the aftermath of Storm Chandra.

This scheme supports small business, sports organisations and community and voluntary groups affected by flooding who cannot obtain flood insurance.

The funding may be used for the replacement of damaged flooring, fixtures, fittings and stock if relevant.

The scheme has two payment stages. The first provides funding of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of damages incurred. The maximum amount available through the scheme is up to €100,000 per small business or organisation with up to 50 fulltime employees. 

The Irish Red Cross acts as the administrator of the scheme on behalf of the department.

More information can be read here, or by contacting the Irish Red Cross at 01-6424600 or emergencyflooding@redcross.ie.

For more info on what assistance is available and who is eligible, see below: Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

ENDS/

For further information, contact: communications@sdublincoco.ie