Factsheet for measure
DE-2024-4/3325
–
Updated
– measures in Germany
Aid to private households in Lower Saxony damaged by the Christmas flood
Richtlinie zur Gewährung von Hilfen für vom Weihnachts-Hochwasser 2023 geschädigte Privathaushalte in Niedersachsen
Background information
In December 2023, large parts of Northern Germany witnessed a flood caused by persistent rainfall. Lower-Saxony was the most affected state, but also were parts of Bavaria, Bremen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Unlike the 2021 flood, this was not considered to be a national catastrophe. Therefore, emergency aid remained within the competence of the states and local communities. On the basis of the circular decree (German: Runderlass) of the Ministry for the environment, energy, and climate protection of the State of Lower Saxony, local governments can provide financial emergency aid to private households affected by the flood.
Content of measure
The emergency aid is granted to financially bridge acute emergencies regarding accommodation or the replacement of household goods. The aid is generally not repayable.
Flood-related aid includes damages which were directly caused by the flood. Direct damage caused by emergency services and emergency vehicles is also taken into account. If total damage to household contents is expected to be €5,000 or more (in cases of hardship also less than €5,000), emergency aid will be granted in the amount of €500 for each adult and €250 for each child, with a minimum of €1,000 and a maximum of €2,500 per household. If a particularly acute emergency situation is justified in an individual case, emergency aid of up to €20,000 can be granted for private households as an exception.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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04 June 2024
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At the beginning of June 2024, Lower Saxony's state government announced to provide more aid to private households. In addition, to the initial announcement the state government provided another €111 million for covering flood-incurred damages in residential homes. Affected households could apply for funding at NK Bank between 19 June and 31 October 2024. Private households could apply for funding to have up to 80% of their damages covered (with a minimum threshold of at least € 1,000 and a maximum ceiling of €500,000 in place).
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Use of measure
According to an article by ndr.de from 2024, the federal state of Lower Saxony approved over 430 applications by the end of 2024. The aid for private households applying for emergency funds amounted to approximately €500,000.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Does not apply to businesses
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Applies to all citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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Local / regional government
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Regional funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement as case not in social partner domain
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No involvement as case not in social partner domain
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
Emergency aid is not within social partner domain.
Views and reactions
No reactions known.
Sources
