Last Updated on: 22nd January 2024, 07:48 am
The historic settlement, officially sanctioned in December 2021, provides compensation to First Nations communities and individuals affected by prolonged drinking water advisories. Payments for eligible claims will commence after March 7, 2024.
Water Settlement Payout Date 2024
To seek compensation through the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement, individuals can submit a Claim Form before the deadline on March 7, 2024. The form is accessible online, as a fillable PDF, or in hard copy.
The settlement allocates $8 billion in compensation, encompassing $1.8 billion for individuals and impacted First Nations. An additional $50 million is earmarked for eligible individuals who suffered specified injuries during the drinking water advisory from November 20, 1995, to June 20, 2021.
Moreover, $6 billion is dedicated to supporting the construction, upgrading, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nations communities. You can also check When to File GST and HST Return.
Water Settlement Payout Date Eligibility
Individual Eligibility:
- First Nation Membership: Must be a registered member of an Impacted First Nation listed on the official website.
- Residency: Must have lived on an Impacted First Nation for at least one year during a drinking water advisory lasting at least one year between November 20, 1995, and June 20, 2021.
- Age: If born before November 20, 1995, eligibility applies only to events after November 20, 13, unless specific limitations prevented earlier claims.
- Specified Injuries: Additional compensation for specific health conditions linked to advisories, such as skin disorders, gastrointestinal issues, and certain cancers.
- Minors: Children born to eligible individuals during the advisory period may also be eligible.
- Deceased Individuals: Estates of deceased individuals meeting eligibility criteria at the time of death may claim compensation.
How to Claim Water Settlement Payout?
Claiming Online:
- Visit the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement website at https://firstnationsdrinkingwater.ca/.
- Click on “Claims” in the main menu.
- Choose “Submit a Claim” and create an account.
- Select the claim type: Individual Damages or Specified Injuries.
- Follow the online instructions, answer eligibility questions, and provide details about residency and experiences with the drinking water advisory.
- Upload supporting documents, including Band membership cards, proof of residency, and medical records (for Specified Injury claims).
- Review and submit your claim electronically.
Claiming with a Printable Form:
- Download the appropriate claim form: Individual Damages or Specified Injuries.
- Print the form and fill it out carefully.
- Gather and attach supporting documents, similar to online claims.
- Mail the completed form and documents to Claims Administrator, First Nations Drinking Water Settlement, PO Box 3728, Station Main, Moncton, NB E1C 8R8.
Check also, CPP Payment Dates Ontario.
First Nations Drinking Water Settlement Amount
The $8 billion settlement in Canada is distributed across various categories:
Individual Damages:
- Up to $1.8 billion for individual compensation, depending on factors such as advisory duration, age, and community residency.
- Individual awards vary and are determined through an adjudication process.
Specified Injuries:
- $50 million for compensation related to specific health conditions linked to long-term drinking water advisories.
- Eligible conditions include skin diseases, gastrointestinal issues, and certain cancers, among others.
- Compensation amounts will be determined after March 7, 2024, when claims processing begins.
Impacted First Nations:
- Each First Nation under a long-term drinking water advisory receives a base payment of $500,000.
- They also receive 50% of the total individual compensation awarded to members within their community.
Prospective Relief Funding:
- At least $6 billion is dedicated to supporting the construction, upgrading, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nations communities.
- This segment focuses on addressing the root cause of the issue and ensuring access to safe drinking water.
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Specific Issues Addressed by the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement
The settlement addresses various specific drinking water issues in Canada, including:
- The presence of harmful bacteria and protozoa (E. coli, coliform bacteria, Giardia) causes gastrointestinal illnesses.
- Chemical contamination (arsenic, uranium, trihalomethanes) leads to long-term health problems.
- Inadequate treatment and disinfection due to insufficient infrastructure, increase the risk of contamination.
- Long-term drinking water advisories, force communities to rely on alternative sources.
- Insufficient infrastructure, such as aging water treatment plants, distribution systems, and storage facilities.
