Asan Tata— November 10, 2026UAE citizens whose homes are damaged in a crisis or disaster can now claim crisis home damage aid of up to Dh350,000. The new rules come from Cabinet Resolution No. 135 of 2026, which sets out who can apply, what damage is covered, and how fast the Ministry of Community Empowerment must decide. The resolution has been in force since 15 August 2026, and it was reported in detail on 10 November 2026.
This guide explains the crisis home damage aid in plain terms: the eight eligibility conditions, the items the scheme pays for, the items it does not cover, the 30-day application deadline, and the steps to apply. If your home was damaged by a storm, a fire, or another sudden event, read the conditions first, because this is not a general compensation scheme for every homeowner.
Quick Answer
Eligible UAE citizens can receive up to Dh350,000 per case for verified damage to their home and essential household contents under Cabinet Resolution No. 135 of 2026. The support is paid by the Ministry of Community Empowerment. You must apply within 30 days of the crisis or disaster, and the Ministry must decide within seven working days.
The scheme is limited. It applies only to UAE citizens who are permanent residents and already receive federal social support or support from a local government programme. The damage must be proven by an official damage report, and the event must have affected five homes or fewer.
What the New Rules Say
Cabinet Resolution No. 135 of 2026 sets the controls for paying social support to people affected by crises and disasters. The resolution was published in issue 829 of the Official Gazette and came into effect on 15 August 2026. It replaces the older disaster-relief framework that dated back to Cabinet Resolution No. 22 of 2008.
What Counts as a Crisis or Disaster
The resolution gives a clear definition. A crisis or disaster means an event in which five or fewer dwellings suffer material damage because of external factors. The affected person is any natural person whose home, or the contents of that home, was damaged in that event.
This definition matters for two reasons. First, the damage must come from an outside cause, such as a storm, heavy rain, flooding, or a fire that started outside the home. Second, the scheme is aimed at smaller, localised events rather than large-scale disasters that affect whole neighbourhoods, which are handled through other emergency channels.
Who Can Apply for Crisis Home Damage Aid: The Eight Conditions
The resolution sets eight conditions. An applicant must meet all of them to qualify. They are:
| Condition | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1. UAE citizen | The applicant must be a UAE national. |
| 2. Permanent resident | The applicant must be a permanent resident of the country, under the permanent residency rules in Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2025. |
| 3. Social support beneficiary | The applicant must already receive social support or support from programmes run by local government agencies. |
| 4. Home in the UAE | The damaged home must be located inside the UAE. |
| 5. Proven damage | The loss or damage must be proven by an official damage report. |
| 6. No fault | The damage must not have been caused by negligence, transgression, dereliction, or a deliberate act. |
| 7. No other relief | The applicant must not have received relief and emergency support for the same damage from any other entity in the country. |
| 8. Accurate information | All data and documents given to the Ministry must be accurate. |
The third condition is the one most people miss. This scheme is not open to every UAE citizen. It is part of the social-support system, and it is aimed at families who already receive federal social support or help from a local government programme. The sixth condition is also important: damage caused by poor maintenance, carelessness, or a deliberate act is excluded. The scheme covers damage from events outside the homeowner’s control, not damage that could have been avoided.
What Damage Is Covered
The scheme covers verified damage to the home itself and to essential household contents: household furniture, household electrical appliances, basic internal finishes such as flooring, walls, ceilings and doors, and basic external finishes and equipment. The final amount depends on the official damage assessment. The Ministry pays up to the assessed value of the qualifying damage, subject to the Dh350,000 ceiling. A ministerial schedule will set values for different types of loss, so similar cases should be assessed in a consistent way.
What Is Not Covered
The resolution lists a long set of exclusions. Relief and emergency support does not cover losses or damage to property used for commercial, industrial, professional, or craft activities; ships and fishing boats; vehicles of all kinds; cash; fish, birds, and animals; trees, plants, and crops; antiques, paintings, and chandeliers; books, publications, papers, documents, and private records; personal belongings, including clothing, jewellery, and valuables; vehicle parking spaces; or swimming pools and their supplies.
Read this list before you apply. Many families lose clothes, jewellery, or a car in the same event that damages their home. Those losses are real, but this scheme does not pay for them. Home insurance may cover some of them, so check your policy as well.
The Damage Report: The Key Document
Every application depends on a damage report. The resolution describes this report as a technical document. It must be issued by the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, the local authority in charge of ambulance and civil defence in the emirate, or any relevant government entity that deals with crises and disasters. The report must include an inventory of the damage, an assessment of it, and a statement of its severity and scope, following approved technical standards.
In practice, report the damage to the competent authority as soon as it is safe, let the authority inspect the home, and keep the report safe — it is the main proof for your application. Do not repair or throw away damaged items before the inspection, unless they are a safety risk. Without this report, the Ministry cannot verify the claim. Take photos of the damage as well, and keep receipts for any emergency repairs.
How to Apply: Steps and Deadlines
Applications go to the Ministry of Community Empowerment. The process is straightforward, but the deadlines are strict.
Step 1: Get the damage report
Contact the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence or the local civil defence authority in your emirate. Ask for a damage assessment visit and a written report.
Step 2: Prepare the application
Use the approved form from the Ministry of Community Empowerment. Attach the damage report, proof of citizenship, proof of permanent residency, proof that you receive social support, and proof of ownership or tenancy of the home.
Step 3: Submit within 30 days
You must submit the application within 30 days of the crisis or disaster. This deadline is fixed in the resolution. A late application is likely to be rejected, so do not wait for repairs to finish before you apply.
Step 4: Wait for the decision
The Ministry must decide within seven working days of receiving a complete application. Seven working days means business days, not calendar days.
Step 5: Receive the payment
If the application is approved, the aid is paid in the name of the affected homeowner. If the home is rented, the aid is paid to the affected tenant, up to the value of the proven damage to their own property. If ownership of the home has passed to heirs and the home is still registered in the deceased person’s name, the Ministry pays the heirs under its established procedures.
What Happens With Other Compensation
The rules on overlapping payments are fair but strict. If you receive compensation for the same damage from another entity in the UAE, and that amount is less than the aid assessed under this resolution, the Ministry will pay the difference. You will not be paid twice for the same loss, but you will not lose out either. If the Ministry later finds that you received aid based on incorrect data or documents, it will recover the full amount paid, without removing any civil or criminal liability that may apply. Give accurate information from the start.
How This Scheme Compares With the Old Rules
The new resolution replaces the disaster-relief framework that had been in place since Cabinet Resolution No. 22 of 2008. The new rules set a clear maximum of Dh350,000 per case, define a crisis or disaster in precise terms with the five-dwelling limit, and set fixed time limits: 30 days to apply and seven working days for a decision. They also list the exclusions in detail, so applicants know in advance what is not covered. The scheme is designed as a safety net for families who already receive government support, not as a general insurance scheme for all homeowners.
What To Do If Your Home Is Damaged Now
If your home has just been damaged, make sure everyone is safe and call emergency services if anyone is hurt or the building is unsafe. Report the damage to civil defence and ask for an inspection. Take clear photos and videos of all damage before you clean up or repair anything, and keep receipts for emergency spending. Check whether you receive federal social support or a local government support programme, because you may qualify. Then submit the application to the Ministry of Community Empowerment within 30 days, with the damage report attached. Check your home insurance policy as well, because it may cover items this scheme excludes, such as vehicles or jewellery.
Do not delay. The 30-day window starts from the date of the crisis or disaster, not from the date you finish repairs. The damage report also takes time to arrange, so start the process as soon as it is safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can claim up to Dh350,000 for home damage?
UAE citizens who are permanent residents and already receive federal social support or support from a local government programme can apply. The damaged home must be in the UAE, the damage must be proven by an official report, and the applicant must meet all eight conditions in Cabinet Resolution No. 135 of 2026.
How much money can I receive?
The maximum is Dh350,000 per case. The actual amount depends on the official damage assessment, and no case can exceed the ceiling.
How long do I have to apply?
You have 30 days from the date of the crisis or disaster to submit your application to the Ministry of Community Empowerment, using the approved form with all supporting documents, including the damage report.
How long does the Ministry take to decide?
The Ministry must decide within seven working days of receiving a complete application. If documents are missing, the clock may not start until the application is complete.
Does the scheme cover my car or jewellery?
No. Vehicles, cash, clothing, jewellery, and valuables are excluded. The scheme covers the home itself and essential household contents such as furniture and domestic electrical appliances. Check your home or motor insurance for the excluded items.
Can tenants apply, or only homeowners?
Tenants can apply. If the home is rented, the aid is paid to the affected tenant, up to the value of the proven damage to their own property. Homeowners receive the aid in their own name, and heirs can receive it if the home is still registered in a deceased owner’s name.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is based on Cabinet Resolution No. 135 of 2026 as reported on 10 November 2026. The rules may change, and the Ministry’s own forms and procedures are the final authority. If your home has been damaged, contact the Ministry of Community Empowerment or the civil defence authority in your emirate for advice on your own case. This article is not legal advice.
Last Updated: 10 November 2026
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