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COVID-19 Resources for Individuals
Register for My Account for Individuals
This is a secure portal that lets you view your personal income tax benefits and credits and you will be able to apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit by clicking here: Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Here is a link of information you will need to apply and questions you may have about applying: Checklist to Apply
ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED FOR "MY ACCOUNT", IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU SIGN UP FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT TO GET ANY BENEFITS YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THAT MUCH FASTER. You can go to My Account that you set up or call CRA at 1.800.959.8281. If a direct deposit is not an option for you, they will still send you a cheque just not as quick of an option. Click here to learn about Direct Deposit
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Update April 16, 2020: If you applied for CERB for the first period Mar 15 to April 11 you can now apply for the next period April 12 to May 9.
ALSO More flexibility for CERB and these changes are retroactive to Mar 15, 2020 it is now available to anyone working making $1000/m or less can now apply.
If you have run out of EI since Jan 1 you can now apply. Also now available to seasonal workers, volunteer firefighter, contractors, etc.
UPDATE (April 15): Update: Return or repay CERB If you applied and later realized you’re not eligible you can pay it back
Make payment to “Receiver General for Canada”
Indicate it is for repayment of CERB
Include your Social Insurance Number SIN or Temporary Tax Number TTN
Find answers to common questions with this automated help line:1-833-966-2099
To speak with an agent about CERB, or CRA My Account:1-800-959-8281
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html#return
You need to apply for CERB for each 4-week period you are only allowed to claim maximum for 16 weeks. If you start working again after getting a payment you will need to reapply
The 4-week periods are fixed, and you must have zero income after the first period
Here are the periods:
4 Week Period Cycle Dates
March 15 - April 11
April 12 -May 9
May 10 - June 6
June 7 - July 4
July 5 - August 1
August 2 - August 29
August 30 - September 26
UPDATE (April 10): If you are eligible and have not already registered it is now open. If you qualify go to your CRA Account and login and if you have not set it up yet don’t worry you can set it up and then immediately log back in. It will ask you for a code but go just below that and click on ask me later. This will take you into your account where you can then apply for CERB. Please make sure you meet the criteria. Click Here to Apply
You will need to login every 4 weeks to reapply and verify that you still are not working for the current 4-week period to receive your next payment. Reminder when you receive the code for signing up to My Individual account please log in and enter it as it will expire. Then you will have full access to your account. There is a lot of information that you will find valuable, so I recommend setting it up.
You can also apply by phone 1-800-959-2041 if you do not have access too a computer.
This benefit will support Canadians by providing urgently needed financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who have been directly affected by COVID-19. It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4-week period (equivalent to $500 a week) for up to 16 weeks. If you qualify it is available from Mar 15 to Oct 3, 2020. This is only available to you if you have stopped working and not earning income due to COVID-19.
Some of the qualifications laid off and is eligible for Regular EI or Sick benefits due to COVID-19,
If you are sick or quarantined or are a parent who must stay home without pay to care for children or are still employed, freelancers, contractors and people still technically employed but no longer receiving income due to pandemic.
You must also have earned at least $5000 in 2019 or past 12 months (maternity, parental or adoption benefits count).
UPDATE: Now have allowed individuals that have received dividends in 2019 as long as they are non-eligible dividends (generally, those paid out of corporate income taxed at the small business rate). This will now be eligible to count towards the $5000 income requirements to be eligible. For more information on Non-Eligible dividends CLICK HERE
You need to have 14 days in a row of no income in each four-week period.
HOW TO APPLY for CERB Registration is available starting April 6 online with CRA My Account so again please register.
A toll-free number will be available soon.
You will not need an ROE and if you have pending EI applications they can be moved to CERB.
When you register for My Account you do need to wait for security pin but you will have access to your my CRA account Lite immediately and you can put in an application right away.
If you qualify you will be paid every 4 weeks.
This money is considered a taxable benefit and will need to be claimed on taxes next year.
You will need to check in every month that you are still not working
This link will tell you how to apply and who can apply
Information on how to apply for EI
Should I apply for EI?
If you became eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, your claim will be automatically processed through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. For other EI benefits, including maternity, parental, caregiving, fishing and work-sharing, you should also continue to apply for EI. If you are eligible for CERB when it runs out if you qualify you can also apply for EI if your work still has not resumed. You can not collect both at the same time though.
Employment Insurance for Self Employed
EI for self-employed people, Click here!
New Canadian Emergency Response Benefit and EI sickness pay
This benefit is for people unable to work due to medical reasons, your regular weekly earnings have decreased by more than 40% for at least a week, you have 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or since the last claim. Click here to learn more.
Service Canada Account
Your Service Canada account will let you access your online portal to view, apply, or update information for Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or your Old Age Security (OAS). To register Click Here
Workshare Program
Here is a fact sheet for employers for COVID-19 temporary special measures to see if you qualify Check the Link
B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers
(April 23, 2020 Update): Will be available May 1
Are you eligible?
If you meet the requirements of CERB then you will meet the requirements
You will have to agree to file 2019 Tax return
You must not be receiving provincial income assistance or disability assistance
You will need your SIN number and direct deposit information
How to apply: You can apply online as of May 1 or by phone on May 4. more details to come
Click Here to learn how to apply
UPDATE (April 10): Reminder those who are just registering for CERB Subsidy credit you may also qualify for the BC Emergency Benefit for workers.
A new B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a tax-free $1,000 payment to British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected by the outbreak. The benefit will be a one-time payment for British Columbians who receive federal Employment Insurance (EI), or the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit, as a result of COVID-19. Who qualifies for the one-time payment: Works laid-off, sick or quarantined, parents of sick children, parents who stay home due to closed schools or childcare, or to care for elderly parent this will also apply to those workers that are eligible and not eligible for EI including self-employed. Click Here for more information.
Students
Update (April 22,2020): Coming Canada Emergency Student Benefit you will receive $1250/month May to August or if you care for someone or have a disability it is $1750/month.
Eligibility: if you are studying now or going to school in September or graduated in December 2019.
If you have a job and earn less than $1000 a month you are also eligible.
Payments will be retroactive to May 1, 2020 and will be paid through the CRA.
If you are also volunteering this summer, you could be eligible for between $1,000 - $5,000 through the New Canada Student Service Grant depending on your hours.
The Government is doubling the Student grants the government gives out for the 2020-2021 school year. For students in Quebec, Nunavut, and the Northwest territories there will be funding to your provincial and territorial governments to add to your programs. There will also be funding to support First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students.
Ottawa is also creating 76,000 jobs for students on top of the Canada Summers Job program
Income Tax & Tax Credits for Individuals
Income Tax Extension
You now have until June 1, 2020, to file your income tax and until September 1, 2020, to pay your 2019 taxes. I recommend filing earlier if you can so that you do not get an interruption to your benefits and if you are getting a refund you will get it sooner. If you owe you will have until September 1, 2020 pay. This site updates you on the latest changes to your personal Canadian taxes and benefits. They are requesting to only call in on 2019 taxes due to unusually long wait times. Income Tax Extensions
Climate action tax credit
An additional one-time payment will be made in July 2020 on top of the regular climate action tax credit amount for qualifying individuals and families. Click here for more information for residents in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario
Goods and Services Tax Credit GSTC One-time special payment
By early May 2020 through the GSTC this will double the maximum annual GSTC payment amount for 2019-2020 benefit. The average boost to income will be close to $400 for a single individual and close to $600 for couples. Click here to learn more
Canada Child Benefit CCB
The government increased the annual 2019-20 benefit and you will receive an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit this will be delivered with May payment. Click here to learn more.
UPDATE: Children and Youth with Special needs CYSN
There is and Emergency Relief Support Fund for eligible family’s with direct payments of $225/month for 3 months available. For more info https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CFD0043-000650
New Emergency Support for low-income seniors and disability assistance
Anyone already receiving disability support cheques will receive an additional $300 top-up to their regular support cheques for the months of April, May, and June. As well for people in B.C. currently receiving income assistance or disability assistance, the Province will temporarily exempt federal employment insurance benefits, including the new $2,000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). These payments will be fully exempted for the next three months so people receiving income assistance and disability assistance in B.C. will benefit from these new emergency federal support programs, without any reductions to their monthly assistance payments. Emergency Support, Click Here!
Mortgage Support
This is a case by case bases, but Mortgage deferral may be available to help with financial hardship
Here are the numbers for the following lending agents. Home Trust 1.855.270.3630, MCAP 1.800.265.2624, Manulife1.877.765.2265, Merix 1.877.637.4911, Marathon 1.855.503.6060, TD 1.888.720.0075, RMG 1.866.809.5800, Scotia 1.800.472.6842, B2B 1.800.263.8349, BMO 1.877.895.3278, CMLS 1.888.995.2657 CIBC 1.800.465.2422, Optimum 1.866.441.3775, Equitable 1.888.334.3313, First National 1.888.488.0794, RBC 1.866.809.5800, HSBC 1.888.310.4722.
Rent Relief
Update (April 10): This is now open and you will require the following to apply Identification for all family members living in the home, Proof of income, Proof of income loss or current income, Proof of Tenancy and rent, and Landlord Name and contact information. If you are eligible your Landlord will also need to complete a form and funds will go directly to them. For more details and to apply https://bctrs.bchousing.org/
The B.C. government is offering renters up to $500 a month for the next three months available through BC Housing to help renters pay a portion of your rent to help those affected by COVID-19. This will come available mid-April so yes you do need to pay April rent. To be eligible, tenants must have experienced an income loss or reduction as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Benefiting people with low to moderate incomes, this supplement will be available to renters who are facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 crisis but do not qualify for existing rental assistance programs. Full eligibility criteria will be available on BC Housing’s website. Click here for more information for renters and landlords
BC-Temporary Rental Supplement (BC-TRS) Program
This is to support people and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Province is introducing a new temporary rental supplement, halting evictions for non-payment of rent, and freezing rent increases. The new BC Temporary Rental Supplement, or BC-TRS, will be administered by BC Housing. This new program will provide a temporary rental supplement to assist eligible low- and moderate-income renters who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of income loss or income reduction due to COVID-19. Eligible tenants will have the benefit paid directly to their landlord, benefiting both the landlord and the tenant. Currently, this is a three-month program. See more, click here!
Bills and Payment Relief for Individuals
Student Loans
BC student loan payments will be frozen starting Mar 30, 2020 for 6 months. Check here for details
BC Hydro
Update (April 10): Click here to apply online
As part of its payment support during the pandemic, BC Hydro will offer a three-month credit for those who have lost their jobs or are unable to work. This will add up to about $477 in savings and will not need to be repaid. For residential you can apply starting next week so the end of the week of April 6. See more here.
Fortis Customer Recovery Fund
https://www.fortisbc.com/about-us/supporting-british-columbia-during-the-covid-19-outbreak
Other Resources:
New Wages Boost
Update (April 16, 2020): New Wage Boost for essential workers making less the $2500 a month. According to the announcement the Government will work with the provinces and territories through a transfer to cost-share a temporary top-up helping those essential workers. This will provide a much-needed boost to those on the front-line in hospitals, those caring for seniors in long-term care facilities, and for those ensuring there is food on the shelves. With today’s announcement, the federal government will be sharing the cost of this wage support through the new transfer to these provinces.
Temporary Emergency Child Care
Update (April 10,2020): This is for essential service workers. Use the childcare matching service for kids aged 0-5, otherwise contact your school directly for school aged kids. 1-888-338-6622 or register online for kids 0-5.Otherwise, contact your school.
Mental Health
Update April 16, 2020: free mental-health to post-secondary students 24/7 for those enrolled in the province of BC here is a link CLICK HERE
For others this is a link for free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed. CLICK HERE
Update (April 10, 2020): This is a challenging time for everyone but for some it is very challenging there will be a Mental health self-assessment tool available April 20. For more information Click Here
Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs)
The Government is proposing targeted help by reducing required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25% for 2020, in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on many seniors’ retirement savings. Click here to learn more.
ICBC
You can renew your insurance and driver's license by phone. ICBC is allowing customers on a monthly payment plan facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 to defer their payment up to 90 days with no penalty if you qualify. Customers can use ICBC’s online resource tool to apply for deferrals or call the customer support team at 1-800-665-6442. For driver’s license, A customer can renew their driver’s license up to six weeks in advance of the expiry date by contacting ICBC Driver Licensing Call Centre at 1-800-950-1498 and temporarily extend their license over the phone. See more here.
UPDATE (April 10) Emergency Housing
There are now new spaces available for those without a safe place to self-isolate. Call 2-1-1 or here is a link to search in your area. http://www.bc211.ca/home