LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The City Council has approved a $1 million disaster assistance program to help Lincoln homeowners and renters affected by sewer backups during heavy rains.

The council program approved Monday provides $5,000 for victims of backups caused by storm runoff overwhelming the Theresa Street wastewater treatment facility on Oct. 1, 2014, and May 6-7 this year.

City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick described the program as disaster assistance, not an insurance program that will reimburse people for all their costs. He says it’s aimed at protecting the health of citizens, so it covers only cleanup.

Some residents affected by the backups have said that despite the new aid program, they’re looking into suing the city.