November 2023 flood support

Financial support for residents and businesses

Island homes and businesses directly affected by the recent floods can now apply for UK Government funded support (starting on 15 November 2023).

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.

What we need from you

We will need you to apply online for support from the schemes outlined below.

For advice please email iwcfloodrecovery@iow.gov.uk or call 01983 823111

Community Recovery Grant

Flooded households in affected areas can apply for up to £500 to get cash quickly to help with immediate costs.

The grant is available to anyone whose primary home 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 2023.

• 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

We are currently experiencing a high volume of applications and are working as quickly as possible to process them. If you have made an application, we will contact you to advise of the outcome or let you know if we need any further information as soon as we can.

Households and business owners can apply for flood relief by completing an online application form (from 8am on 15 November 2023).

• please give us as much information as possible when you apply
• upload any supporting evidence like photographs of the damage with your application form
• we may also need to visit the property
• the information you submit will also help inform our flood investigation report

If you need any further information or help with an application, please email iwcfloodrecovery@iow.gov.uk or call 01983 823111.

You may also be able to access a Property Flood Resilience grant that is funded by government as part of the response to Storm Babet.

We are currently reviewing the guidance and will provide more details as soon as possible on how you can access it, including how and when it will be payable to people with eligible properties.

If the storm has affected you, your home, business or family, you may need someone to talk to. Find out what mental health support is available on our someone to talk to page.