Frequently Asked Questions

A. A financial program to assist with certain uninsurable, essential losses or damages that Saskatchewan municipalities or residents may face that were caused by an eligible natural disaster. The most common natural disasters include flooding, heavy rains, plow winds or tornadoes. Drought losses or expenditures, fire losses, fires and fire suppression expenditures are not eligible under PDAP.

PDAP is not intended to cover all costs and does not compete with insurance companies, with other programs or if the loss is/can be recovered by law.

A. Residents should take the details of his/her specific uninsurable, essential losses or damages to the municipal authority. The Municipal Council confirms that one or more criteria under PDAP have been met for the municipal property damages and/or for its residents' private property damages. The Council passes a Resolution "requesting to be designated an eligible assistance area".

Q. Council has "declared itself a disaster area". How soon will we see the funds?

A. "Declaring a disaster area" has no relevance to qualifying for compensation under PDAP. The application process to follow is detailed under PDAP Process.

A. Once the municipality is "designated eligible for financial assistance", Registration of Claim (application) forms are provided to the municipal office with handouts of information to all claimants. The form is computer generated with certain sections completed. There is a DEADLINE to apply to PDAP.

Each person who wishes to make application completes the form and returns it to the municipal office. The municipal office returns the forms to the PDAP office.

Once PDAP has received the Registration of Claim form, an adjuster is appointed to each claim and makes an appointment with the claimant to review the losses or damages. The adjuster reports to the PDAP office. PDAP confirms what is eligible and provides the estimated dollar amount for repairs or restorations of the eligible items.

Claimants will receive an advanced payment equal to 40% of the total eligible amount as shown on the adjuster's report, along with an option to proceed either with the remaining amount based on the adjuster's estimate, or with the actual invoices for the eligible work. Once an option is chosen, the final payment is processed and the file is closed.

Q. What happens if we have to make emergency repairs before adjusters can see the damage?

A. Emergency repairs can be done, but take pictures and keep a sample of the damaged item, to document the damages prior to the repair or restoration to provide to the adjuster.

A. As a result of the high volume of claims in 2005 and 2006, there have been some delays in processing claim payments. The expediency of claim payments relies on the claimant taking the time to understand the payment process, being available for the adjuster, and providing all the required information to the PDAP office. Claims are processed in the order that the adjuster reports are received.