After the fire
Financial support following a fire: the full picture
Beyond insurance, there is a whole range of support available — from local authorities, county councils, central government, professional bodies and voluntary organisations. The problem is not that these are lacking, but that they are scattered. This filterable overview brings them all together, organised by profile.
Key points
- The foundation remains theinsurance : Declare this first; the grants are provided IN ADDITION.
- Counter No. 1: the town hall — CCAS, emergency funds, rehousing, and information on everything else.
- Farmers: ISN/natural disasters (DDT), property tax relief on undeveloped land, MSA — short application periods.
- Forestry workers: grants for clearing and reforestation (France 2030, Region) via CNPF/ONF.
- Keep ALL your receipts from day one: most financial assistance schemes require proof of expenditure for reimbursement.
Find your support
Filter the overview according to your situation :
Local emergency assistance (CCAS)
Immediate assistance: food vouchers, clothing, accommodation, small emergency grants. The CCAS is also familiar with ALL other local support schemes — this is your first port of call.
Where : Town Hall / CCAS, right from the start.
Emergency rehousing
Municipal emergency accommodation, followed by transitional solutions (municipal housing, social housing provided under a fast-track procedure, mobile homes on plots of land whilst building works are underway — temporary planning permission may be granted).
Where : town hall ; insurance (rehousing guarantee) at the same time.
Local Authority Solidarity Fund
Following major fires, departments and regions often allocate special funds for those affected (to cover household goods, insurance excesses and those without insurance). The amounts and criteria vary and are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Where : departmental/regional council — the town hall passes on the announcements.
Standard social security benefits activated
CAF (emergency assistance, relocation allowance where applicable), social assistance from pension funds and mutual insurance schemes, assistance from works councils, early release of employee savings (disaster = a legal ground), and extensions to tax and social security deadlines upon request.
Where : CAF, social security funds, employer, tax office (payment deadlines, ex gratia remission).
Donations and charities
Red Cross, Secours Populaire/Catholic Relief, Fondation de France (dedicated funds following major fires), official local fundraising campaigns. Be wary of unverified fundraising campaigns: go via the town hall.
Where : local branches; the town hall often centralises donations.
National Solidarity Allowance (ISN)
For uninsurable losses of crops and assets (fences, perennial crops, soil) following an on-site assessment. Claims processed by the DDT — short submission windows, often just a few weeks.
Where : DDT(M) + Chamber of Agriculture (assistance with setting up).
Property tax & MSA
Property tax relief on undeveloped land due to crop losses (Art. 1398 of the General Tax Code — must be applied for; sometimes granted collectively), partial coverage of MSA contributions, one-off crisis aid (fodder, cash flow support).
Where : Property Tax Office, MSA, DDT.
Clearing and reforestation
Aid for the clearance and restoration of damaged plots (French government schemes under the ‘France 2030’ programme, specifically the ‘forest renewal’ scheme, and regional aid), technical support from the CNPF. Conditions: assessment, diverse tree species, ongoing maintenance.
Where : CNPF, DRAAF/DDT, forestry cooperatives.
Economic activity affected
Operating losses (if cover has been taken out!), short-time working arrangements for employees, extended deadlines for URSSAF and tax payments, support from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and Chambers of Crafts and Trade (CMA) as well as regional crisis funds, and credit mediation if cash flow dries up.
Where : insurer, DDETS (partial activity scheme), URSSAF, CCI/CMA, Regional Authority.
If a person responsible is identified
Bringing a civil action to seek compensation for damages not covered (excesses, non-pecuniary damage, uninsured losses). In the event of the perpetrator being insolvent or where a criminal offence has been committed, the CIVI or the FGTI may compensate for certain personal injuries.
Where : filing a complaint, solicitor, victim support organisation (France Victimes — 116 006).
The method for not missing a thing
- A single workbook (paper or digital) : declaration of insurance, photographs, invoices, certificates — the same documents will be required for each grant application.
- A visit to the town hall Week 1: CCAS + list of measures implemented locally (these vary with each incident).
- Deadlines first : insurance (5 working days), agricultural social security contributions and tax relief (weeks), followed by the rest.
- Don’t stay on your own : social workers (departmental), France Victimes (116 006, free of charge), support groups for victims — the rate at which people make use of support services skyrockets when they receive guidance.
The risk changes every day. So do your reflexes.
Check the fire alert status for your department, keep track of current fires and report a fire via the Feux de Forêt mobile app.