Natural hazards, financial aid

In order to alleviate extraordinary emergencies as a result of non-insurable damage of more than 5,000.00 euros, caused by natural events (for example, extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, subsidence, landslides, forest fires, floods), which the persons concerned can remedy neither by their own efforts nor by objectively required self-provision, state financial assistance for damage to buildings and household contents in the case of private property, on agricultural, horticultural and commercial holdings.
Exceptions to this principle require the approval of the Hessian Ministry of Finance. In particularly urgent emergencies, emergency aid of up to 10,000.00 euros can be provided.

To the district committee of the district or the magistrate of the district-free city in whose area of responsibility the damage occurred.

The documents required to verify the financial circumstances (e.g. income tax assessments, pension notices, credit agreements and other documents) are required. They shall be attached to the application.
The application forms are attached to the Natural Hazards Directives as Model A (agricultural and horticultural holdings), Model B (commercial enterprises) and Model C (private injured parties).

Guidelines for the granting of state financial assistance for natural hazards, put into force on 01.07.2008 by decree of the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and for Sport of 26.06.2008 (State Gazette for the State of Hesse, 2008, p. 1855).

Point 1.3 of that directive states that State financial assistance is an equitable measure and not compensation and that there is therefore no legal right to compensation for the damage suffered.

The application must be submitted within one month (cut-off period) after notification of the financial assistance action by the competent regional council.

The Regional Council must decide beforehand - within one week - on an application to be submitted within one week after the damage event by the district committee or the magistrate - in agreement with the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and for Sport - whether a financial aid action is to be initiated.

This will be announced in an appropriate manner.
At the latest the next day after the decision, the Regional Council informs the Hessian Ministry of Finance and the responsible line ministries.