Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cabinet approved new regulations for disbursing social support to those affected by crises and disasters, allowing eligible citizens to receive support for repairs and compensation for damages to their homes and their contents, up to a maximum of Dh350,000 per case. 

The decision set eight conditions for eligibility, a 30-day period for submitting the application, and seven working days for deciding on it. It also regulated the disbursement and grievance mechanisms and excluded a number of properties and possessions from compensation.

Disbursement controls

In detail, Cabinet Resolution No. 135 of 2026 set the controls for disbursing social support to confront crises and disasters, whereby the Ministry of Community Empowerment undertakes to disburse relief and emergency support for damages or losses to the home and its contents, including household furniture, household electrical appliances, and basic internal and external finishes and equipment of the home as a result of a crisis or disaster, according to a damage verification report, with a maximum limit of Dh350,000 per case.

The decision – published in issue 829 of the Official Gazette and which came into effect on August 15 – defined a crisis or disaster as the exposure of five or fewer dwellings to material damage resulting from external factors, and that the affected person is any natural person who suffered damage as a result of a crisis or disaster, which resulted in damage to his dwelling or its contents. 

It noted that the damage assessment report is a technical document issued by the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, or the local authority competent in ambulance and civil defence affairs in the emirate, or any relevant government entity that deals with crises or disasters, and includes an inventory of the damages resulting from the crisis or disaster, its assessment, and a statement of its severity and scope of impact in accordance with the approved technical standards and procedures.

Eligibility requirements

The decision specified eight conditions for the affected person to be entitled to relief support, including: 

  • The individual is a UAE citizen.
  • The individual is a permanent resident of the country, in accordance with the permanent residency regulations contained in Cabinet Resolution No. 57 of 2025. 
  • The individual is a beneficiary of social support or support programs provided by local government agencies.
  • The damaged residence is located within the country
  • The occurrence of losses or damages is proven by a damage report.
  • The losses or damage did not occur as a result of negligence, transgression, dereliction or a deliberate act.
  • The individual did not receive relief and emergency support from any other entity in the country.
  • The data and documents submitted to the Ministry to request the disbursement of relief and emergency support are accurate.

The decision stated that relief and emergency support does not include losses or damages to property designated for commercial, industrial, professional, or craft activities and the like, ships and fishing boats, vehicles of all kinds, cash, fish, birds and animals, trees, plants and crops and the like, antiques, paintings, chandeliers and the like, books, publications, papers, documents and private records, personal belongings, including clothing, jewellery and valuables, vehicle parking spaces, swimming pools and their supplies.

The regulations governing the disbursement of relief and emergency aid stipulate that the aid be disbursed in the name of the affected homeowner. If ownership of the home passes to heirs and it remains registered in the deceased's name, the Ministry will disburse the aid to the heirs according to its established procedures. If the home is rented, the aid will be disbursed to the affected individual up to the extent of the proven damage to their property. 

If the affected individual receives compensation for the same damage from another entity within the country, and the value of that compensation is less than the estimated aid amount according to the provisions of this decision, the Ministry will disburse the difference between the estimated aid amount and the compensation received by the affected individual. 

If the Ministry determines that the affected individual received relief and emergency aid based on incorrect data or documents, the Ministry will recover the full amount disbursed according to its established procedures, without prejudice to any applicable civil or criminal liability.

Request for support

The decision stipulates that those affected must submit an application for emergency relief support to the Ministry of Community Empowerment, using the approved form and attaching all supporting data and documents, within 30 days of the crisis or disaster. The Minister will issue a decision specifying the data, documents, and procedures required for submitting the emergency relief support application. 

The Ministry will then decide on the application within seven working days of receiving a complete application. If the Ministry does not respond within this period, the application will be considered rejected. Furthermore, applicants are obligated to disclose, when submitting their application, any compensation they have previously received or are entitled to from any other entity for the same damages.