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Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO)
Financial support after a natural disaster
Last Update: April 27, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
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
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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
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
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small owner-operated farms
- Farm owners who operate the farm as their livelihood
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that do not meet the program’s small owner-operated business rules
- Farms that do not meet the small owner-operated farm rules
- Organizations outside the approved applicant categories
- First Nations living on reserves
Eligible expenses
- Emergency evacuation or relocation of livestock, equipment, inventory, and other essential farm assets.
- Emergency measures, cleanup, disinfection, debris removal, and restoration of active fields.
- Repair or replacement of essential farm buildings, machinery, equipment, fencing, livestock, and stored farm products.
- Land repair and preparation, including replacement of lost trees in managed woodlots, nurseries, orchards, and tree farms.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Evacuation or cleanup of non-essential property.
- Losses to crops in the field.
- Losses to insurable livestock.
- Loss of revenue, wages, business opportunity, or normal operating costs.
- Insurance deductibles, except in unusual high-deductible cases.
Eligible geographic areas
- Activated disaster areas in Ontario
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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.
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
Who are the financial supporters of the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO)?
Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) is funded by Government of Ontario