Thousands of households across Ireland entitled to Storm Chandra Relief payment

The Emergency Response Payment, formerly known as the The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, provides emergency financial help if your home has been affected by a severe weather event such as flooding in Ireland.

The payment helps you meet the cost of essential needs and repairs rather than full compensation for losses or damage. It is only open for applications when activated in response to a severe weather event.

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This week, the Emergency Response Payment was opened to provide support to people living in properties directly affected by Storm Chandra in Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. Stage 1 is not means-tested and closes for applications on Wednesday,  February 4, 2026.

The scheme is administered by the Community Welfare Service.

There are 3 parts to the Emergency Response Payment

Stage 1 (Immediate need): Emergency payment to help pay for food, clothing, personal items and alternative accommodation if you need it. Stage 1 is not means-tested.

The closing date for Stage 1 applications related to Storm Chandra is Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Stage 2 (Damage to essential items and contents): Replacing white goods (fridge, freezer), flooring, basic furniture and other essential household items.

Stage 3 (Longer-term financial support for structural damage to your home): including plastering, dry lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.

Stage 2 and Stage 3 are means-tested.

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What does the scheme not cover?

The Emergency Response Payment does not cover:

• Losses covered by an insurance policy
• Loss of items considered not essential, or luxury items
• Commercial and business losses
• Loss or damage to your private rented accommodation or local authority accommodation

Do I qualify for help?

• Stage 1 emergency payments are not means-tested.
• Stage 2 and Stage 3 financial support is means-tested.

To qualify for Stage 2 and Stage 3 financial support, your household’s income is assessed to decide whether your household can meet the cost, or some of the cost, of restoring your home to a habitable condition.

All household income is considered in the income test. You do not need to be getting a social welfare payment to qualify.

How does the income test work?

When you apply, you will be asked to provide personal and financial details for each person who lives in your home and explain their relationship to you.

If you are single

If you have a gross household income of €50,000 or less, you get 100% of the amount allowable.

For each whole €1,000 of household income above €50,000, you are required to make a 1% contribution to the amount allowable. For example, if you are:

• Single, and
• Have a gross household income of €55,000

You get 95% of the amount allowable (€5,000 over the income limit of €50,000 = 5% personal contribution towards the loss).

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If you are in a couple

If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting and have a combined gross household income of €90,000 or less, you get 100% of the amount allowable.

For each whole €1,000 of household income above €90,000, you are required to make a 1% contribution to the amount allowable. For example, if you are:

• Married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, and
• Have a combined gross household income of €105,000

You get 85% of the amount allowable (€15,000 over the income limit of €90,000 = 15% personal contribution to the loss).

Increases for qualified children

The income limits are increased by €15,000 for each qualified child.

One-parent household

The income limit for one-parent households is €90,000 plus €15,000 for each qualified child.

Non-dependent adult household members

For each non-dependent adult member of the household, 20% of their gross income is added to the household income.

For example, a household with a couple with a gross income of €85,000, and non-dependent adult with an income of €20,000 get 100% of the amount allowable as the total household income is less than €90,000 (€85,000 + €4,000 [€20,000 x 20%] = €89,000).

If you have no insurance

If you had no insurance and you do not have a good reason for not having insurance:

• You will be expected to contribute the first €2,000 toward the amount allowable, and
• Your personal contribution will be 2% for each whole €1,000 above the appropriate income level for your household
  If your income is above the income limits

If your household income is above the limits you may get reduced or tapered levels of support.

How much financial support is available?

How much is paid depends on how severe the damage is and your ability to pay for the cost of repairs.

If the cost of structural repairs is estimated to be more than €5,000, the Department of Social Protection will appoint and get advice from a loss adjudicator.

In assessing cases for assistance, Additional Needs Payments already paid out will be taken into account.

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How do I apply?

To apply for the Stage 1 Emergency Response Payment, complete the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme application form. The closing date for Stage 1 applications related to Storm Chandra is Wednesday, 4 February 2026.

To apply for the Stage 2 and Stage 3 Emergency Response Payment, complete the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme application form. Applications for help with structural repair must be made by the registered property owner.

You can also get the form from your local Community Welfare Service or from your local Intreo centre or branch office.

You must include the following with your application, where available:

• Evidence of household income (pay slips, etc)
• Estimates for repairs or replacement
• Two itemised quotations for cost of structural repairs (from a registered building contractor or tradesperson)
• A copy of your insurance policy
• Paid invoices or receipts
• Any other information which may support your claim

Send your completed application form to the Community Welfare Officer at your local Community Welfare Service.