Financial Assistance Info
What the ACMG is doing
- Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, ne sea vocent scripta abhorreant, facilisi explicari mel ne, ut quo vide ridens. Mei ex quodsi inciderint, quo ad quas deleniti definitionem, vis no wisi graecis offendit. Ius ut everti detraxit expetenda, meis civibus consectetuer ea usu. Ad qui option facilisis consequuntur, pro omnis aliquip vulputate te. Solum affert expetenda eos te, et vim sale iudico impetus, in appetere postulant ius. Alia nihil utroque ex sit.
Overview of Assistance Programs
The Federal and several Provincial governments in Canada have announced programs to support businesses and individuals to help with financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to check their websites as this is a continuously evolving situation.
Federal Programs
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (EI)
If you were working for an employer and lost your job and are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI), you can apply at:
https://srv270.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/AW/introduction?GoCTemplateCulture=en-CA
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - Overview
- Overview of the Canadian Government COVID-19 Economic Response Plan with links to specifics:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-CERB
A portal is scheduled to open on or near April 6 to apply for the federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program.
- A taxable benefit providing $2,000 a month, for up to four months, for workers who lose their income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible for the CERB:
- Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19
- working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick, or because schools and daycares have closed
- wage earners, contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance
- workers who are still employed but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19. This helps businesses keep their employees, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.
How to Apply
- As of March 26, application process is being devised. There will be a secure website, most likely the CRA, and also a secure phone line, yet to be announced.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - Support for individuals and families
- This page has links to several programs and benefits
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals.html
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - Overview, Support for Businesses
- This page has links to several programs and benefits
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-businesses.html
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - Support for Businesses, Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
- A three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The subsidy is equal to 10% of the remuneration you pay between March 18, 2020, and June 20, 2020, up to $1,375 per employee and to a maximum of $25,000 total per employer.
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations, registered charity, or a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC)
- Have an existing business number and payroll program account with the CRA on March 18, 2020; and
- Pay salary, wages, bonuses, or other remuneration to an employee.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/frequently-asked-questions-wage-subsidy-small-businesses.html
Provicial Programs
PROVINCE OF ALBERTA - Emergency Isolation Support
- One-time emergency payment of $1,146 if they are required to self-isolate or are the sole caregiver of someone in self-isolation and they have no other source of income.
- Intended as a "bridge" until the CERB portal [see above] is open around April 6.
- Apply here: https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-isolation-support.aspx
PROVINCE OF ALBERTA - payment deferrals
Utility and Student Loans Repayment Deferral
- Residential customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.
- This program is available to Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19. For example, those who have lost their employment or had to leave work to take care of an ill family member.
- Call your utility provider directly to arrange for a 90-day deferral on all payments.
- Implementing a six-month, interest free, moratorium on Alberta student loan payments for all Albertans in the process of repaying these loans.
https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-supports-for-albertans.aspx?
PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - COVID-19 assistance programs
- Overview of BC assistance available:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports
- For information on B.C.'s COVID Action Plan and other government resources and updates, visit:
http://www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
- Provides a tax-free $1,000 one-time payment for those British Columbians who receive federal Employment Insurance (EI), or the new federal Emergency Care Benefit or Emergency Support Benefit [see above, Federal] Includes workers who have been laid-off, who are sick or quarantined, parents with sick children, parents who stay at home from work while child care centres and schools are closed, and those caring for sick family members, such as an elderly parent. The workers can be EI-eligible and non-EI eligible, such as the self-employed.
- How to apply - not announced at this writing.
- Increases and expands the B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit in July 2020. As many as 86% of British Columbians will see some extra money. Eligible families of four will receive up to $564 and eligible individuals will receive up to $218 in an enhanced payment. This boosts the regular climate action tax credit payment of up to $112.50 per family of four and up to $43.50 per adult.
- How to apply: not announced at this writing.
- Utility bill and ICBC (car insurance) deferrals: British Columbians needing more time to pay their bills can also apply to existing payment deferral programs at ICBC and BC Hydro. ICBC is extending deferrals to up to 90 days.
- People dealing with job loss, illness or loss of wages due to COVID-19 may also qualify for BC Hydro's Customer Crisis Fund grant program for up to $600. https://www.bchydro.com/index.html
- For seniors needing help with non-medical essentials, from shopping for and delivering groceries; prescriptions; to a daily check-in call.
- Also seeking (non-senior) volunteers for this work
- Visit http://www.bc211.ca/safe-seniors-strong-communities/ or dial 211 in BC.
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO (southern)
- For tourism operators or small- or medium- sized businesses or organizations that received FedDev Ontario funding and COVID-19 is affecting your operations, contact your project officer as you may be eligible for flexible arrangements.
- If you are a tourism operator or small- or medium- sized business or organization impacted by the sudden shifts in the economy, FedDev Ontario can help you navigate the support available.
https://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/00018.html - For more information on additional government support available to your business and workers, please contact Service Canada at 1-800-OCanada (1-800-622-6232).
https://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_02567.html?OpenDocument
PROVINCE OF QUEBEC
- Overview of assistance: https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/financial-assistance/
- Financial Assistance - Temporary Aid for Workers Program https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/financial-assistance/temporary-aid-for-workers-program/
Featured Partner
Thank you to our partners for their excellent support and commitment to professional guiding in Canada.