Closed
Source verified September 22, 2026
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA)
Supports disaster recovery for public infrastructure
Get notified when Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) reopens
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Overview
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) provides partial reimbursement to Indigenous communities and local government bodies for recovery from disaster-related uninsurable losses and essential public infrastructure damage. Eligible support includes rebuilding or replacing essential public infrastructure, repair or replacement of essential materials, and removal of unusually heavy deposition in gravel beds.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Rebuilding or replacing essential public infrastructure to the pre-disaster condition.
- Repair to or replacement of essential materials.
- Removal of unusually heavy deposition in gravel beds directly related to the event and supported by maintenance records.
Documents Needed
- Supporting documentation showing what infrastructure was damaged, what the pre-event condition was, and the least-cost option to restore the damaged infrastructure to pre-event functionality.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous communities.
- Local government bodies as defined under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Who is not eligible
- Individuals.
- Small business or farm owners.
- Charitable or not-for-profit organizations.
Eligible expenses
- Insurance deductibles.
- Costs of inspection, appraisal, planning, and design required to determine the cost of repair, rebuilding, or replacing infrastructure or essential materials.
- Administration costs up to 10 percent of the eligible, incurred construction costs of a project, excluding salaries from regular employees.
- Compensation costs a community is obligated to pay under part 1 of the Compensation and DFA Regulation.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Landscaping.
- Work undertaken as preventative measures to guard against future damage as a separate project or as part of a DFA project component.
- Enhancements from pre-event functionality unless required by the prevailing codes in the area.
- Temporary works.
- Normal operating expenses such as equipment or regular salaries.
How to apply
- Complete the appropriate application form available through the DFA application portal.
- After October 2025, submit DFA applications through the DFA application portal instead of email.
Processing and Agreement
- The program makes determinations on Infrastructure Cost Recovery Plan projects and reimbursement claims based on the criteria outlined in the regulation.
- Final appeal determinations are made by the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness or a responsible official acting on their behalf.
- If an eligibility appeal is overturned, private sector cases are re-opened and the final payment amount is issued.
- If an eligibility appeal is overturned for a public sector applicant, the case is re-opened and the applicant may proceed to the Infrastructure Cost Recovery Plan stage or have the overturned costs approved in the plan.
- If an amount appeal is overturned, an additional payment is issued within 30 days when the amount payable is higher, or repayment is required within 60 days when the amount payable is lower.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) Program
What is the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA)?
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) provides partial reimbursement to Indigenous communities and local government bodies for recovery from disaster-related uninsurable losses and essential public infrastructure damage. Eligible support includes rebuilding or replacing essential public infrastructure, repair or replacement of essential materials, and removal of unusually heavy deposition in gravel beds.
Who is eligible for the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program?
To be eligible for the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program, you must:
The applicant must be an Indigenous community or local government body as defined under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The event must be authorized for DFA and involve uninsurable losses caused by a disaster with extensive or widespread damage.
What expenses are eligible under Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA)?
Rebuilding or replacing essential public infrastructure to the pre-disaster condition.
Repair to or replacement of essential materials.
Removal of unusually heavy deposition in gravel beds directly related to the event and supported by maintenance records.
Who can I contact for more information about the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA)?
You can contact Government of British Columbia (BC) by email at DFA.public@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 1-888-257-4777.
Where is the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) available?
The Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program is available across Canada.
Is the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA)?
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is funded by Government of British Columbia (BC)