Manitobans struggling with the financial implications of flooding are going to get a little help from both the provincial government and from their fellow Manitobans, and from generous donors around Canada.
According to the provincial government, 1800 people have already reached out seeking Disaster Financial Assistance from the Province. In the meantime, the province will begin sending out $500 advance cheques to those who have already applied for DFA. These will be mailed out, along with a letter outlining more of the DFA process.
“$500 is going to start rolling out to these 1800 Manitobans, as long as you’ve started the application process,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, “meaning a piece of ID and the initial form that’s required. This will help to ease some of the financial burden that we’ve been hearing about from a lot of people.”
The province is also working with the Canadian Red Cross to start a fundraising campaign for victims of the floods this summer. The Premier said the Province will match donations with an initial allocation of $15 million.
“Part of what we’re also trying to do here is ensure people who have been ravaged by these floods and have had impacts to their homes and their livelihoods and lives are going to be able to get some financial assistance that might not neatly fall into programs like DFA,” Kinew said. “This will be open to folks who’ve applied for DFA in the flood-impacted region, but the existing criteria for accessing DFA benefits won’t apply to the money that’s being raised. This is going to be a bigger picture effort.”
The Premier also said they’ll have resources in place for those needing financial advice and planning for things ranging from mental health needs to contractors to help them rebuild.
