May 18, 2016

Wildfire Evacuee Transitional Accommodation Benefit

This information is for those displaced by mandatory evacuation orders – Fort McMurray, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First Nations residents

What is the Wildfire Evacuee Transitional Accommodation Benefit (WETA)? The Alberta Government is helping make sure Fort McMurray families have a stable and suitable place to live until they can return home. The government is providing short-term funding for eligible evacuees who do not have insurance or insufficient insurance to pay for temporary accommodations costs in Alberta. For up to 90 days from the date of the evacuation, the government will cover costs in Alberta for damage deposit, rent, and utility connections for those who qualify. Who can apply? All applicants must be:

Registered with the Canadian Red Cross as an evacuee of the 2016 Alberta mandatory wildfire evacuation.

Over 18 years old. Only one adult can apply per household.

Establishing a temporary residence in Alberta.

Uninsured or don’t have enough insurance coverage for temporary housing needs.

This will not limit other benefits like the debit card allowance, Income Support or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. Income is not used to determine eligibility for WETA.

Where do you apply? Applications must be made in-person at any Alberta Works Centre across the province. To find the Alberta Works Centre closest to you, call 310-4455 or check online at:

http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/services-near-you/2929.html

What do you need to bring with you when you apply at an Alberta Works Centre? You must bring the following:

Your personal identification

Your registration number from the

Canadian Red Cross as an evacuee

Proof of your primary address in Fort

McMurray or affected area.

Proof of address of your temporary

residence in Alberta, e.g. rental

agreement

Proof that your insurance coverage does

not cover or only partially covers the

costs of temporary housing.

If you do not have insurance be prepared

to make an official declaration of being

uninsured.

Is there a deadline for evacuees to apply

for WETA?

You must apply by August 2, 2016, which is within the first 90 days of the mandatory evacuation.

May 18, 2016

Finding Temporary Housing Assistance for uninsured residents without housing options The following options are available to those who are uninsured or don’t have enough insurance coverage for temporary housing needs. Call 310-4455 for more information about:

Dormitories in Alberta post-secondary institutions that may be available for temporary accommodations.

Financial assistance for emergency, temporary accommodations.

Connecting with private landlords or rental agencies who may offer short-term or permanent housing.

Efforts will be made to help connect displaced residents with temporary accommodations as close to their homes as possible. Evacuees receiving temporary accommodations assistance will be connected to local service providers regarding furniture and other basic start-up necessities. Additional supports are also available from the Canadian Red Cross at 1-888-350-6070 or go to www.redcross.ca/.

Finding short-term and long-term housing

If you are looking for temporary or longer-term housing, visit the Centralized Housing Registry website at: www.rentcafe.com/canada/fortmcmurraywildfires

For the latest information on the provincial emergency response, please go to emergency.alberta.ca or call 310-4455.