Only UAE citizens receiving government social support qualify for home disaster relief under a Cabinet decision that caps payments at Dh350,000, Gulf News reported.
The assistance covers residential repairs, furniture, household electrical appliances and essential fittings. An official report from the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, a local civil defense authority or another government disaster response body must establish the damage. A separate decision by the minister of community empowerment will set payment levels for different damage categories within the ceiling, Gulf News said.
Eligible applicants must be UAE citizens who reside permanently in the country and receive federal social support or assistance from a local government. The home must be in the UAE. Owners generally receive payments for property damage, while tenants can seek support for verified losses to belongings they own, according to the report.
The rules bar claims involving negligence, misconduct, deliberate action or failure to exercise due care. They also exclude applicants who have already received relief and emergency support from another UAE entity. Separately, the Ministry of Community Empowerment will pay the difference if compensation from another entity for the same damage is below the assessed support amount, Gulf News reported.
The report says property serving commercial, industrial, professional or craft purposes is excluded, along with vehicles, ships, fishing boats and cash. The exclusions also cover livestock, birds, fish, trees, plants and crops, as well as clothing, jewelry and other personal belongings.
Cabinet Decision No. 135 of 2026 took effect Aug. 15 and repealed Cabinet Decision No. 22 of 2008, Gulf News reported. It defines a covered crisis or disaster as an externally caused incident that physically damages five or fewer homes.
Claims must reach the ministry within 30 days of the incident. The ministry has seven working days to decide after receiving a complete application; no response by that deadline counts as a rejection. Anyone denied aid or awarded less than requested may file a grievance within 15 days of notification. The committee has 30 days from the grievance's submission to decide, and its ruling is final, the report said.
