Island homes and businesses directly affected by the recent floods will be able to apply for UK Government funded support from tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Isle of Wight council is administering a package of support, including a Community Recovery Grant of £500 per household to help with immediate costs.
Full details including how affected residents can apply will be available on a dedicated webpage on the council’s website from 8am.
Community Recovery Grant
Flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to give cash quickly to help with immediate costs.
The grant is available to primary homes that have suffered internal flood damage, or for people who were not able to live in their property, as a direct result of Storm Babet between 19th and 25th October.
Second homes and empty properties are not eligible.
Business Recovery Grant
Small-to-medium sized businesses in affected areas will be eligible for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual.
Businesses eligible to apply include those which experienced flooding to their business premises and or those which experienced restricted access to their premises as a result of the flood, and which experienced a loss of trade as a result.
Storage facilities are not eligible.
Council Tax Discount and Business Rate Relief Schemes
Flooded households may also be eligible for a 100 per cent council tax discount for a minimum of three months — this means affected residents will not have to pay council tax during this period.
After three months, if residents have not been able to return home, they may not have to pay council tax until they move back to their home. The Government scheme does not apply to empty homes, second homes or student accommodation.
Businesses that have not been able to operate due to flooding at their premises may be eligible for 100 per cent Business Rates Relief for a minimum of three months.
How to apply
Both households and business owners can apply for flood relief by completing an application form at https://www.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/severe-weather/november-2023-flood-support/
The website will go live at 8am on Wednesday.
Please give us as much information as possible when you apply. Upload any supporting evidence like photographs of the damage with your application form. We may also need to visit the property.
If you need any further information or help with an application, please contact the council at [email protected] or call 01983 823111.
The Ryde Help Centre in Ryde Library will also be open tomorrow from 10.30am until 7.30pm (it will be closed between 2.30pm-3.30pm)to help people complete their applications. Appointments can also be made at Newport Help Centre at County Hall by calling the number above.
Jordan: Committed to helping residents to recover
Councillor Phil Jordan, council leader, said,
“We are committed to helping residents to recover from the recent extreme weather.
“The recent floods caused by some of the heaviest rainfall the Island has ever seen caused devastation for many of our residents, flooding their homes and making it impossible for them to return home for some time.
“Just one of the ways that we are now helping people to restore their homes is by administering this support package which will help with immediate costs.
“We have been working hard to support the affected communities over the past two weeks and will continue to lead on the community recovery effort.”
Lucioni: Inform the Environment Agency and Southern Water
Councillor Karen Lucioni, Cabinet member for community protection, added,
“Working closely with local councillors and voluntary agencies, we now have a full list of those affected in Ryde and other areas of the Island, including those in most need of support.
“One particular request I would make is to ensure that all those households that have been flooded inform the Environment Agency and Southern Water as this will enable access to support from those agencies.
“I would also encourage those businesses and residents affected by the floods to apply for the grants made available from the government.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
