Emergency Support Services.
Insurance is the best way to provide financial coverage and alternative living expenses should the unexpected happen and people need to evacuate their home. For those who cannot obtain insurance, Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a short-term option that can help them meet their basic, temporary needs and connect them with other specialized services.
What is ESS?
ESS is a provincial program that provides temporary support for essentials such as accommodation, food, and other supports for people who are unable to meet those needs when they are evacuated. During an evacuation, evacuees can go to locations called reception centres to access supports. These centres can get very busy, as volunteers help other evacuees register and apply for ESS.
You can streamline this process and avoid long lineups by setting up an ESS profile now. With an ESS profile, you can also access supports online without having to go to a reception centre at all.
There are eligibility requirements for Emergency Support Services. For example, if you’re able to support yourself for the first 72 hours of an emergency, you would not be eligible for ESS. For details on eligibility, see the Evacuee Living Assistance Policy.
Homeowner or tenant insurance may provide greater support than the ESS program. Check with your insurer to determine what may be available to you.
Create an ESS Profile ahead of time
Create an ESS profile before an emergency event to save time and reduce stress.
People who have created a profile can log in to the online self-service registration tool to receive instructions on supports available and how to access them.
To create your ESS profile:
- Click HERE
- Click “Create profile”
- Follow the registration instructions
- Add each member of your household to your profile
The benefit of creating your ESS profile with your BC Services Card means you may be able to receive eligible supports by Interac e-transfer. You know best what supports you need, and e-transfer gives you the flexibility to choose. To receive funds by Interac e-transfer, download the BC Services Card App and validate your identity. Then follow the steps to create your ESS profile before an evacuation occurs.
During an emergency event, follow instructions from official sources on how to access ESS. With your ESS profile already set up, you’ll be a step ahead.
Insurance
Whether you rent or own, insurance is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of an emergency.
Having insurance in place can protect you from having to pay full replacements costs in the event your home, appliances, furniture and valuables are destroyed from fire, flooding, earthquake or other emergency events.
Check your insurance first
- If you need to leave your home due to an Evacuation Order, homeowner and tenant insurance policies will typically cover accommodation and other living expenses for a period of time.
- Include a copy of your insurance policy in your grab-and-go bag.
- If you don’t have insurance, Emergency Support Services may be available to provide support to cover basic living essentials, such as food, accommodation, clothing and/or incidentals, depending on your needs.
Not all hazards are covered the same
- Discuss coverage with an insurance company representative so you understand what your coverage includes – and what is does not.
- Make sure your home, vehicle, business and belongings are protected.
It may be difficult to obtain or renew insurance once there is a wildfire or other emergency in your region.
- To check your insurance coverage and explore available options, call the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422 or visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
- If your insurance does not cover your damages and losses, other programs such Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) may provide support to replace personal items, building repairs and debris removal.
- Generally speaking, DFA does not cover insurable damage caused by:
- wildfires
- earthquakes
- snow load
- wind storms
- sewer or sump pit back-up
- water entry from above ground