How to apply for help after flooding

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.

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 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. 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 here

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."

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."

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