Government delivers emergency funding to Islanders

Islanders will be able to access emergency funding from government in the coming days to help recover costs associated with damages following Hurricane Dorian.

The province’s first-ever Provincial Disaster Assistance Program will be rolled out early next week to help Islanders with costs to repair or replace uninsurable, essential basic property loss due to disasters. The program will also apply to small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipal governments.

“We have never seen the province-wide impacts like what we experienced following Hurricane Dorian. This is an unprecedented situation that has touched all of us in one way or another. We are in this together and we are here to help Islanders. While we are still early days in being able to understand the true impacts to individuals, businesses, industries and communities, it is important that government start to roll-out financial support to help those who need it most.” -  Premier Dennis King

Provincial Cabinet met Friday afternoon to begin activating the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program. This important step also triggers access to disaster relief funding from the federal government. Details about how and where Islanders can apply for financial assistance will be shared early next week.

Cabinet also approved a one-time emergency fund program for approximately 6,000 Islanders who are currently receiving income assistance to support their basic needs as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Dorian.

Under this program, individual income assistance clients will receive $110, a couple will receive $140 and an additional $30 will be provided to clients for each of their dependents. Income assistance clients will begin to receive emergency funding as early as next Thursday through their regular direct deposit payment process (or Friday if by cheque).

“Islanders have been exceptionally supportive of one another over the past number of days and incredibly patient as we have all worked closely together with the team at the PEI EMO to assess the damages and determine how best to move forward in response to Islanders needs. We know that more will need to be done and we will be here to help Islanders and our province recover,” added Premier King.

Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Phone: 902-314-2721
Email: ahamel@gov.pe.ca