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Source verified October 8, 2026
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO)
Financial support after a natural disaster
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: October 8, 2026Latest change: The DRAO page now says assistance is available only when the program is activated for an affected area, adds sewer-backup limits for low-income households, and sets a January 18, 2027 deadline for four activation areas.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 8, 2026
Latest change: The DRAO page now says assistance is available only when the program is activated for an affected area, adds sewer-backup limits for low-income households, and sets a January 18, 2027 deadline for four activation areas.
DRAO eligibility and deadlines updated
The DRAO program page now says assistance is available only when the program is activated for an affected area, and it adds a new sewer-backup rule that limits help for that damage to low-income households. The overview also now expressly includes individuals, small businesses and farms, and not-for-profit organizations as eligible groups. The page adds an application deadline of January 18, 2027 for the newly listed activation areas in Billings, Minden Hills, Muskoka Lakes, and North Bay.
Funding available
$ 250,000
Deadline
January 18, 2027
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians provides financial support after a natural disaster. It helps cover emergency expenses and the repair or replacement of essential property, with funding subject to a deductible, caps, and a maximum payment of $250,000 per application.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Increase operational productivity
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- From $ 10,000 to $ 2,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- 20 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Emergency evacuation and relocation of essential farm assets.
- Cleanup, disinfection, disposal, and restoration after a disaster.
- Repair and replacement of essential farm assets and farmland.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Farm business registration number
- Proof of farm ownership
- Recent tax return and notice of assessment
- Recent farm financial statements
- Insurance letter detailing damage, coverage, and exclusions
- Photos or other proof of damage, plus receipts or invoices
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small, owner-operated farms.
- Owners of farm businesses who meet all the small owner-operated farm criteria.
Who is not eligible
- Hobby farms.
Eligible expenses
- Emergency evacuation or relocation of livestock and essential farm assets, including storage, alternative accommodation for livestock, water supplies, heat, light and power supplies, and generator or heater rental.
- Emergency measures, cleanup and restoration of farmland, disinfection and disposal expenses, including sandbags, water pumps or generators, employee compensation, contractor costs, cleaning supplies, cleanup equipment, equipment or fuel costs, livestock disposal, reconnection fees and landfill tipping fees.
- Structural repairs to essential farm buildings, driveways or parking areas, and livestock fencing essential to the farm operation.
- Repair or replacement of essential farming machinery and equipment, inventory held in storage, livestock lost as a direct result of the disaster if it could not be insured, and veterinary costs for injured livestock.
- Land repair and preparation, and replacement of lost trees with seedlings, where damage has occurred to a managed woodlot, including nurseries, orchards and tree farms.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Evacuation or relocation of property not essential to the function of the farm, and cleanup, disposal, disinfection, repair or replacement of items not essential to the function of the farm.
- Losses to crops in the field and losses to livestock for which insurance is available.
- Loss of revenue, wages or business opportunity, farm loan costs, costs associated with personal injuries, and normal operating costs.
- Losses of sowed seed, fertilizer, topsoil or soil fertility, and application of weed control measures.
- Insurance deductibles, except where an exceptionally high deductible may be adjusted.
Eligible geographic areas
- Activated disaster areas in Ontario
How to apply
- Step 1: Check activation and eligibility
- Confirm the program is activated for your area.
- Review the small owner-operated farm eligibility criteria.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Complete the relevant sections of the application form.
- Gather the required supporting documents and proof of damage.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Submit the completed form with all supporting documents by the deadline.
- Step 4: Keep records
- Keep originals and copies of all invoices, estimates, and supporting evidence.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Ministry or a contracted adjuster.
- Additional information or a property visit may be requested.
- Applicants receive a decision on eligibility and payment amount.
- A reconsideration request can be submitted within 45 days of the decision letter.
Additional information
- The program is activated only after a natural disaster.
- Applications must be submitted by the deadline set for the specific disaster.
- Multiple sources cannot pay for the same item.
- A reconsideration request may be filed within 45 days of the decision letter.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) Program
What is the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO)?
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians provides financial support after a natural disaster. It helps cover emergency expenses and the repair or replacement of essential property, with funding subject to a deductible, caps, and a maximum payment of $250,000 per application.
How much funding can be received?
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $250,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is January 18, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program?
To be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program, you must:
Owner-operator with farm business registration
At least 50% ownership
Livelihood-based farm with size and revenue limits
What expenses are eligible under Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO)?
Emergency evacuation and relocation of essential farm assets.
Cleanup, disinfection, disposal, and restoration after a disaster.
Repair and replacement of essential farm assets and farmland.
Where is the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) available?
The Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) is a Grant and Funding