The Ministry of Defence, through the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), has issued an updated guideline detailing the process for distributing the Rs. 25,000 allowance to households affected by the severe disaster situation that began on 21 November 2025.
The circular has been sent to all District and Divisional Secretaries, outlining that the payment will be issued to every category of affected housing, including:
- Totally damaged houses
- Partially damaged houses
- Houses affected by minor flooding, even without structural damage
According to the guideline, no damage assessment is required before disbursing the relief payment. Each affected housing unit automatically qualifies for the allowance.
Allowance Provided Regardless of Land Ownership
The NDRSC emphasized that the allowance must be granted irrespective of land or property ownership, covering a wide range of residents such as:
- Permanent householders
- Estate housing residents
- Tenants of rented houses
- Occupants of unauthorized structures
- Residents of government housing
Government-registered children’s homes, elders’ homes, and disability care centers
Rs. 25,000 to Be Shared Equally in Multi-Family or Shared Housing
The guideline specifies how the allowance should be divided when multiple families or individuals reside within the same housing unit:
The Rs. 25,000 must be split equally among all families/individuals living in the same house.
In rented homes, the allowance is given only to the tenant, and divided equally if multiple tenants reside there.
If both the house owner and tenants live under one roof, the total amount must be shared among all parties.
One-Time Payment for This Disaster Period Only
The allowance is a one-time payment, applicable exclusively to the disaster event that occurred from 21 November 2025 onwards. The full amount must be provided at once to each eligible housing unit.
District and Divisional Secretaries have been instructed to immediately report house damages and request necessary provisions. An updated beneficiary application form has been issued as Annexure 01 along with the guideline.
