The administrators of the £500,000 York (flood) Disaster Fund have moved to clarify how their funding is being used.

They are right to do so.

A couple of days ago the York Council claimed that only £18,000, of the £500,000 already raised, had actually found its way to victims.

The average pay-out was only £300.

Now the Two Ridings Community Foundation says that 100 grants have been issued.

416 homes together with 157 businesses were flooded in December.

According to the Foundation, the initial immediate support awards available for household’s subject to flooding, are:

• All households affected by flooding will receive a £200 award
• Any household in hardship can apply for a further award of £500 to cover replacement of essential items, excess fuel bills and other costs associated with their homes being flooded
• After that, any household can apply for further needs but it will be assessed on a case by case basis

A second phase of grants is planned.

The Foundation says, “We will make available individual grants for households whose income has been affected over a long term period and households who have continued to experience increased household expense due to relocation resulting from the flood”.

Who can apply?

• Individuals or families whose properties and contents have been damaged by flooding or who are suffering other hardship as a result of the flooding.
• “We would not normally fund businesses but we may consider small business owners or employees facing hardship due to lost work or income because of storm or flood. The fund is not designed to replace income but we may be able to consider cases of hardship”.
• Voluntary and community groups, charities and other not for profit organisations that may have experienced loss due to flooding or may be experiencing an increase in demand for services as a result of providing support to individuals affected.

Applications can be made online via www.trcf.org.uk or www.yorkdisasterfund.org.uk

The Foundation is promising to provide an update  report early next week on how the Fund is being used.