The Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program (NL-DFAP)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program (NL-DFAP)

Overview

The Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program (NL-DFAP) provides financial assistance to residential homeowners and tenants, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and cooperatives, local authorities and the public sector for uninsurable loss and damage caused by an eligible disaster.

For the purposes of NL-DFAP, a disaster is considered a natural hazard and/or extreme weather event such as a storm surge, hurricane, landslide, etc.

Not all disasters qualify for the NL-DFAP. To be eligible, a disaster must be considered an extraordinary event that has caused widespread damage to property over multiple areas and/or jurisdictions, and a large number of people are affected. The damage caused by the disaster must not be reasonably insurable and the costs to repair the damage would have to place a significant burden on the provincial economy.

Before those affected by the disaster can apply for assistance, the program must be approved and activated, which will be followed by a public announcement with instructions on how to apply.

Eligibility and Coverage

Once NL-DFAP has been activated, you can apply for financial assistance if you have been affected by the eligible disaster. You can fill out an application for the following categories:

residential homeowners and tenants
small business (including landlords)
not-for-profit organizations and cooperatives
local authorities (municipalities and local service districts)

The NL-DFAP is not an insurance program, and potential applicants must access their own insurance options first. The program will not cover all losses but will help reinstate the basic essentials of life, which includes assistance to repair and restore damaged homes to pre-disaster condition.

NL-DFAP is currently activated for the January 2025 Storm Surge. Applications are below and are due no later than April 30, 2025. For further information on our program please refer to the program guidelines.

Guidelines

Guidelines for eligible disasters before November 2024:

NL-DFAP Guidelines and Criteria

Guidelines for eligible disasters after November 2024:

Private Sector Guidelines and Criteria

Public Sector Guidelines and Criteria

NL-DFAP Fact Sheet

Applications

Application – Not for Profit

Application – Small Business

Application – Homeowner Tenant

Application – Municipal