PRIORITY PUT ON PDAP PAYMENTS FOR FURNACES AND WATER HEATERS

The Government of Saskatchewan is putting a priority on getting Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) claim payments out to residents whose furnaces and water heaters were damaged by flooding, starting with Maple Creek, one of the hardest hit communities. Additionally, it is capping the amount of depreciation on furnaces at 35 per cent.

"Maple Creek was hit particularly hard by this summer's flooding," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert said. "Our government's objective is that residents of Maple Creek whose furnaces and water heaters are eligible for replacement under PDAP will have their cheque in one to two weeks."

PDAP staff has reviewed all 400 Maple Creek files to flag furnace and water heater replacement claims for residents of that community. CPSP has also been in the community to identify additional furnaces eligible for replacement under PDAP.

The review of furnace and water heater claim files from other communities hit by summer storms begins this week as well. Residents who are claiming for furnace and water heater replacement under PDAP are asked to contact program representatives with their PDAP claim number as soon as possible. Staff receiving this information will flag their files to have their claim paid on a priority basis.

"This unprecedented volume of claims activity resulting from summer flooding has required us to take significant steps," Huyghebaert said. "We want to make sure that claimants, who are eligible for replacement furnaces and water heaters have their PDAP payment in hand."

To date, PDAP has received more than 3,400 claims for a total estimated cost of $7.1 million.

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For more information, contact:

Judy Orthner
Corrections, Pubilc Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883
Email: judy.orthner@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-2233