PROGRAM HISTORY, OVERVIEW AND LIMITATIONS
Program History
The Flood Task Force for the District of Columbia was established by the Office of the City Administration to identify policies and projects to bolster flood readiness and community resilience while equitably protecting the District’s residents and economy from the damage that floods can cause. In 2021, the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) was invited to participate as members of the Flood Task Force and remained until the initial goals of the Flood Task Force were met.
DISB team members continued to collaborate with several other District agencies to solve specific flood related concerns by studying issues, analyzing options, and developing and advancing recommended initiatives. As a result of ongoing meetings and discussions, in 2022 DISB proposed a “Water Damage Grant” initiative. The initiative was later approved for further development by the DC Flood Task Force body.
In 2024, DISB continued its effort to fulfill the initiative and created the operational structure for the Water Damage Grant - Remediation Certificate Program (“The Program”). The Program focus is to provide support and assistance to minimize the “Gap and Socioeconomic Vulnerability” that exists in certain communities impacted by the increased flooding or water incursion hazard.
Program Overview
The Program provides a grant to cover remediation services and products for property damage of up to $3,500 depending on the water contamination level and extent of water damage.
This program is for remediation and restoration services. It does not offer a service to repair or replace damaged property or fix foundations, drywall or structural issues.
Program Limitation
Qualifying residents who experience a qualifying flooding event will receive remediation services and products within 48 hours of their claim’s approval. To qualify, there must be two or more homes on the same block, having less than 2 inches of water and where water damage affects no more than 1-2 different rooms of the living area. A grant is provided if the occurrence is based on losses (triggers) due to:
1) a storm surge,
2) flash flood,
3) city capacity overflow/backup,
4) torrential rain or
5) another related or qualifying event when insurance coverage or the financial means for remediation and/or restoration is not available and affordable.
There are certain qualifying factors involved in qualifying for support. They are all listed as you move forward in the application process.
The Program supports participants on a first-come, first-served basis. If you do not meet the qualification for this Program or if the services you need are severe, you may be directed to alternate programs through the DC Mayor’s Citywide Call Center (311).
Additional Information
Participation in the Program helps reduce flood damage losses, mitigate threats to the property’s structural integrity, possible damage to adjoining properties, and addresses safety and sanitary concerns to support a healthy and sustainable community.
Most importantly, the Program supports disadvantaged individuals in our communities to prepare for, adjust to and recover from natural hazard disruptions through assistance, education and connections to resources. Participants qualifying for the grant will receive a Smart Water Leak Detector offering features with a variation of flood warning alert signals.
Additional Resources
Additional information regarding flooding may be found at disb.dc.gov/page/disb-storm-recovery-center. If you are involved in a severe flooding event, please contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Helpline at (800) 621-3362. If you are interested in obtaining a flood insurance policy, contact your insurance agent or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at (877) 336-2627 to locate an agent who sells flood coverage.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE CERTIFICATE FOR ASSISTANCE?
To determine your certificate eligibility, you must successfully complete the following two (2) steps: (A – Reading Points and B - The Qualification Process)
A. Complete the (4) Reading Points (below):
Point #1 – Understanding Services Covered
Point #2 – Understanding Services Not Covered (Exclusions)
Point #3 - Understanding the Difference between Homeowner & Flood Insurance
Point #4 - Understanding the qualification Process
B. Complete the following Qualification sections:
1. Verification
2. Confirmation
3. CertificationHow to Apply and Receive the Grant Certificate (4 Steps)
A. READING POINTS
Point #1 – Understanding the Services Covered
Eligible program services encompass dewatering and dry-out efforts, cleaning, sanitizing, disposal of damaged personal property (weight limits apply), mold prevention/remediation, and the mitigation of immediate safety hazards. Certificate holders may receive a water sensor detection device and/or a waterproof document holder.
Point #2 – Understanding the Services Not Covered (Exclusions)
• Properties that have two (2) inches or more of water incursion
• Properties with significant and major water damage
• Properties involved in a major flooding event
• Properties involving three (3) or more rooms in a home.
Point #3 - Understanding the Difference Between Homeowner & Flood Insurance
Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Insurance is a broad term for a policy that protects against many perils like fire, theft, and liability, while flood coverage is a specialized type of insurance that specifically covers damage from natural flooding events, which are typically excluded from standard homeowners’ policies. Standard homeowners’ insurance covers interior water damage. For example, a sewer backup overflow endorsement can provide coverage for some internal flooding caused by a tub or sink that accidentally overflows.. Flood insurance must be purchased separately. Essentially, flood insurance acts as a separate, targeted policy to cover the gap in a general homeowner's insurance plan, protecting your property and belongings from water damage caused by storms, heavy rainfall, or storm surges originating on the outside of your property.
*It is important to protect your most important financial assets—your home and your possessions.
Flood Coverage
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster and can occur within minutes or over a long period of time and often affect several homes or businesses in the same area. They can be caused by:
• Heavy rainfall
• Rapid snowmelt
• Storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami
• Rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream or drainage ditch
• Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell
• When ocean waves come on shore
• When dams or levees break
This program does not provide service or assistance for flood related occurrences.
Point #4 - Understanding the Program Qualification Process
Note: There are three (3) qualification categories under the Program that a resident must satisfy to meet the program's eligibility criteria for assistance. They are:
1) Verification [Section 1] (incident must fall within program scope) [extreme water-weather & flood related conditions are excluded from this program)
2) Confirmation [Section 2] (financial need criteria)
3) Certification [ Section 3] (type of service needed)
Additional information regarding flooding may be found at disb.dc.gov/page/disb-storm-recovery-center. If you are involved in a severe flooding event, please contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Helpline at (800) 621-3362. If you are interested in obtaining a flood insurance policy, contact your insurance agent or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at (877) 336-2627 to locate an agent who sells flood coverage. If you need to know more about the operation of the Program, feel free to download the “resident’s manual”.