Financial & Debt Relief Resources for Canadians impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)

From September 27, 2020 to September 27, 2021, the following changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program will be in effect:

• You only need 120 insured hours to qualify for benefits. 
• You’ll receive at least $500 per week before taxes.
• If you received the CERB, the 52-week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended.

If you have stopped working or had your income reduced by at least 50% and are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI), the CRB program provides $500 per 1-week period ($450 after tax) for up to 26 weeks. You will need to reapply every 2 weeks to maintain eligibility.

Apply for the CRB 

If you have been unable to work for at least 50% of the week because you’ve contracted COVID-19, are self-isolated due to a COVID-19 related reason, or have an underlying health condition that puts you at risk due to COVID-19, the CRSB program will provide $500 per 1-week period ($450 after tax) for up to 2 weeks. You will need to reapply after the first week to get the benefit for the second week.

Apply for  the CRSB. 

If you are unable to work because you must care for your child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care, the CRCB can provide $500 per 1-week period ($450 after tax) for up to 26 weeks. You will have to reapply every week to continue receiving the benefit.

Apply for the CRCB. 

As of July 27, 2020, the payment of any income tax that an individual owes to the CRA between March 18, 2020 and August 31, 2020 can now be deferred until September 30, 2020 and no interest or penalties will accumulate on the amounts owed during this period of time. More details here.

The CERB program ended on September 26, 2020. The CRA is continuing to accept and process retroactive applications for period 7 (August 30 – September 26, 2020).

For those not covered by Employment Insurance, a new program called the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been created.

• This program is intended to provide income support to workers – including the self-employed and contract workers – who had to stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support. It is also for workers who are no longer being paid who are quarantined, sick with COVID-19, caring for a family member sick with COVID-19, or caring for or supervising their children due to school closures.
• This program will provide $2,000 for 4 weeks. You can reapply up to six times to receive the benefit for a maximum of 28 weeks in total (you need to reapply every 4 weeks, though). If you are eligible for this benefit, you can receive funds retroactively as long as you apply no later than December 2, 2020.
• You can apply for this benefit online. (As an FYI, this money cannot be used as security for a payday loan, and it cannot be garnished by the government or garnished for support payments. Source)
• The government has announced that the CERB will be improved to allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB. It will also be extended to seasonal and regular workers who have exhausted their EI benefits but cannot go back to work or find a job due to COVID-19.

In British Columbia, the new BC Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a one-time, tax free $1,000 payment to BC residents whose ability to work has been affected by the outbreak. This benefit is for both EI eligible and non-eligible workers (such as the self-employed) who have been laid off, are sick or quarantined, are caring for sick family members, or are parents staying home to watch kids because schools and child care centres are closed.

86% of residents will also receive extra money from the increased and expanded BC Climate Action Tax Credit in July 2020. Eligible families of four will receive up to $564 and eligible individuals will receive an enhanced payment of up to $218.

BC residents receiving Income Assistance, Disability Assistance, Comfort Allowance, and the BC Senior’s Supplement will also automatically receive an extra $300 in April, May, and June if they are not receiving EI or the CERB.

See all BC financial support measures.

In Ontario, a number of additional supports have been introduced.

• The Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payment for low-income seniors is doubling for six months starting April 2020.
• The government of Ontario is providing a one-time payment to families of $200 per child up to 12 years of age and $250 for those with special needs.
• The province’s Emergency Assistance program has also been expanded. Ontario Works and ODSP recipients can access benefits of up to $100 for single individuals or $200 for families. More details and additional info.

See all Ontario support measures. 

In Alberta, the provincial government is providing a one-time payment of $1,146 for working Albertans who must self-isolate and do not have another source of pay or compensation while they are in self-isolation. This payment is intended to bridge the gap until the federal emergency program payments begin.

See more COVID-19 info for Albertans.

The Saskatchewan government has announced a Self-Isolation Support Program that will provide $450 per week to residents who need to leave work to self-isolate and are not covered by recently announced federal programs.

A temporary wage supplement is also available for essential workers who earn less than $2,500 per month and who work at senior-care facilities, childcare facilities, group homes, and certain shelters. See more specific details here.

See all support for workers in Saskatchewan.

In Quebec, the provincial government has introduced a Temporary Aid for Works Program. Through this program, any worker who is sick with COVID-19 or is self-quarantining and is not covered by any other program can receive $573 per week for two weeks. If health problems persist, this coverage can be extended for up to 28 days.

See all financial assistance programs in Quebec.

In New Brunswick, a one-time payment of $900 is being offered through the Red Cross to workers who have recently become unemployed due to COVID-19. These funds are intended to bridge the gap until federal benefits take effect.

A $400 benefit is also being offered for low income seniors. The government of New Brunswick is furthermore covering the child care fees for anyone who lost their income due to COVID-19. They are covering any “double fees” for the child care of essential workers. Patients with drug coverage under the province’s public drug plan will only have to pay for the initial co-payment on a prescription being filled or refilled.

See more information on COVID-19 support in New Brunswick.

In Nova Scotia, every individual and family member on income assistance will receive an additional $50. No application is necessary.

See all financial help for COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.

See all COVID-19 supports and services in PEI.

In the Yukon, the government has a Paid Sick Leave Rebate program for employers. It will reimburse employers if they pay their employees to take sick days and self-isolate.

See all COVID-19 economic and social supports in Yukon.

The federal government provided a one-time special payment for low to modest income families through the Goods and Services Tax credit. These payments went out in April.

• Eligibility for GIS and Allowance payments has been extended for seniors who have not yet provided their 2019 income information. To avoid an interruption in benefits, seniors should submit this information no later than October 1, 2020.
• Required minimum withdraws from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) has been decreased by 25% for 2020. 
• The federal government has announced a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors who qualify for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension. An additional one-time payment of $200 will be made to seniors who are eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). So for an individual who receives both the OAS and the GIS, they should receive an extra $500. The government has announced these payments will be delivered the week of July 6.

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit has been proposed for students and new graduates who don’t qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This benefit would pay $1,250 per month for individuals or $1,750 per month for students with dependents or disabilities. This benefit would be offered from May to August 2020.

The Canada Student Service Grant is intended to help students gain work experience and skills while helping their communities during the pandemic. For students who choose to do national service and serve their communities, the new Canada Student Service Grant supposed to provide up to $5,000 for their education in the fall.

Other federal government announcements aimed at helping students can be seen here.

• Canada Student Grant amounts have been doubled for up to $6000 for all eligible full-time students and $3600 for part-time students in 2020-2021. The Canada Student Grants for Students With Permanent Disabilities and Students With Dependents are also being doubled.
• Expected student’s and spouse’s contributions in 2020-2021 are no longer needed to be eligible for student financial assistance.
• The maximum weekly amount that can be provided to a student in 2020-2021 has been raised to $350.
• The government is freezing Canada Student Loan payments and interest until September 30, 2020. So everyone currently paying a Canada Student Loan will not have to make any payments for six months and interest will not accrue over this period. You can find this announcement here.
• BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario have all announced a moratorium on provincial student loan payments for 6 months. No interest will accrue during this time and no payments are required.

In BC, for renters who cannot afford their rent, the government will pay $500 per month directly to their landlord if they are approved for this subsidy. More details

In Prince Edward Island, a Temporary Rental Assistance Benefit of $1,000 per household is available to help cover the cost of rent for a three month period.

If you’re having trouble keeping up with your rent, here are resources that may be of some help to you in your province.

A Canadian Hospitality Worker Relief Fund has been established to provide a one-time grant of $500 to eligible hospitality workers (for groceries, rent, bills, etc.) on a first-come, first served basis. Applications open on May 6. 

If you have a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC) certificate or have applied for one by September 25, 2020, you may automatically receive up to $600 as a one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment. 

Learn more about this one-time payment.