Bullet News GODERICH – The deadline and rules have changed for those seeking financial support from the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
The application deadline has been extended to Nov. 25. But residents and businesses in Goderich, Central Huron and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh are expected to submit complete applications in order for a decision to be made, said Duncan Jewell, chair of the Goderich and Area Disaster Relief Committee, which administers ODRAP locally.
“We cannot really start the whole process of making any decisions on financial support until we have all the applications to know what the claims are going to be,” he said, during a press conference this morning.
The committee originally encouraged people to submit applications regardless of the level of completeness by an Oct. 28 deadline. However, many residents and businesses are still waiting for information on asbestos abatement, demolition, replacement costs, property cleanup and business inventory. Some of the 71 applications submitted to date are blank except for basic information because applicants wanted to be included in the process but have no information at this time.
“The more information we have, the better. We hope they will pursue their insurance agent, their insurance adjustor and if they’re not having success, we’ve told them to contact their insurance company’s ombudsman,” he said.
The committee expects to begin paying eligible claims in 2012. It has the authority to make partial payments if funds are available.
GADRC has set the following dates for applicants to met with a program administrator at the Goderich Town Hall, 57 West St., Goderich:
- Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Please book an appointment by calling Lisa Crossey at 519.524.4441.
Applications for Financial Assistance are available at Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Municipal Office, Central Huron Municipal Office, Goderich Town Hall, Goderich Public Library, Goderich Tourism Office, Huron Chamber of Commerce and the Maitland Recreation Centre. Application Forms can be downloaded from http://www.actownship.cawww.acwtownship.ca, www.goderichandareadisasterrelief.org, www.huroncounty.ca, www.goderich.ca Also www.huroncounty.ca and www.goderich.ca offer “fillable” PDF forms to complete online.
Homeowners, residents or tenants of a home/apartment for personal property only, small business owners/operators (less than 100 employees), owners/operators of full-time or part-time farm operations, tenant farmers, non-profit organizations such as: service clubs, churches, charitable organizations, non-profit organizations that provide facilities or services to the community are eligible.
All applications for assistance must be received by the GADRC at 57 West St., Goderich by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011 to be eligible for consideration.
