Island homes and businesses directly affected by the recent floods will be able to apply for UK Government funded support from 8am today (Wednesday).
The council will be administering a package of support including a community recovery grant of £500 per household to help with immediate costs.
A dedicated website and webform — (https://www.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/severe-weather/november-2023-flood-support/) — will go live at 8am for people to apply for the following available support:
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 anyone whose primary home suffered internal flood damage, or for people who were not able to live in their property, as a direct result of Storm Babet between 19 and 25 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. It 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 people can 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/ from 8am Wednesday morning.
We’re asking residents to give us as much information as possible when they apply – this includes uploading any supporting evidence like photographs of the damage with their application form. We may also need to visit their property.
Residents who would like further information or help with an application, should contact the council at iwcfloodrecovery@iow.gov.uk or call 01983 823111.
The Ryde Help Centre in Ryde Library will also be open tomorrow with extra staff to assist people filling in applications. Its opening times are 10.30am until 7.30pm (it will be closed between 2.30pm and 3.30pm).
People can also book an appointment at Newport Help Centre (at County Hall) by calling 823111.
While we will be promoting the scheme in local media, across our social media channels, via our residents’ e-newsletter and a new residents’ flood recovery leaflet, among other ways, we would be very grateful if you could help circulate this important information in your own communities by signposting affected residents to the council’s website.
