As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Global Health Threat, which we find ourselves in the midst of, our government has put up programs to help us financially and somewhat assist our economy. This blog post will outline all ways you can get the money during this time.
HTTPS://WWW.CANADA.CA/EN/EMPLOYMENT-SOCIAL-DEVELOPMENT/CORPORATE/NOTICES/CORONAVIRUS.HTML
HTTPS://NEWS.ONTARIO.CA/MOF/EN/2020/03/ONTARIOS-ACTION-PLAN-RESPONDING-TO-COVID-19.HTML
FEDERAL/CANADA
CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT
Q: Who is eligible?
A: The benefit will be available to workers:
- Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;
- Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
- Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.
*Do not apply more than once, you can apply via Service Canada or your C.R.A. account but not both
AND…..
- You stopped or will stop working due to COVID-19, and:
- You are applying for the first time:
For at least 14 days in a row during the 4-week payment period, you do not expect to receive more than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-employment income - You are re-applying for another period
You do not expect your situation to change during this 4-week period and you do not expect to receive more than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-employment incom
OR
You received EI benefits for at least 1 week since December 29, 2019 and you are no longer eligible for EI benefits
**They are approving all applications, but if you are not eligible they will come after you later that you owe them, so please ensure you are eligible before applying.
“To support workers and help businesses keep their employees, the government has proposed legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB would be a simpler and more accessible combination of the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.
The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Additionally, workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, would also qualify for the CERB. This would help businesses keep their employees as they navigate these difficult times, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.”
CANADA EMERGENCY STUDENT BENEFIT
The Government of Canada announced on April 22, 2020, that the CERB benefit is eligible to post-secondary students enrolled in a Candian Post Secondary Institution as the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) starting in May and lasts until August. International students do not qualify for the program.
- Post-secondary students, whether employed or unemployed prior-to the pandemic, are eligible to receive $1,250 each month.
- Post-secondary students with a dependant or disability can claim up to $1,750 each month.
- Post-secondary students can earn up to $1,000 each month and still receive the benefit.
- Post-secondary students who choose to volunteer in essential services can earn up to $5,000 per month.
- Students who have graduated six-months after December 2019 or are starting post-secondary in September are also eligible for the benefit.
- You can apply for the CESB benefit through the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) website starting in May.
- GST one time payment
You do not need to do anything, if you receive the GST/HST/GSTC you should have received this on April 10 in your bank or through cheque.
- CCB one time top up
You do not need to do anything, if you receive the CCB/CCTB you should receive an extra $300/child together with your May payment.
*** For Businesses please inquire further
****If you have any other Federal Questions such as Student Loans, Passports etc please follow the link on top.
PROVINCIAL / ONTARIO
- Support For Families.
HTTPS://WWW.ONTARIO.CA/PAGE/GET-SUPPORT-FAMILIES.
- All families with children 0-12 years old receive $200/child (you need to apply for each child individually),
- For each special needs child 0-21, you receive $250/child (you need to apply for each child individually)
Apply here: HTTPS://WWW.IACCESS.GOV.ON.CA/FAMILYAPPWEB/PUBLIC/INDEX.XHTML
- Supporting Affordable Electricity Bills
You do not need to do anything they are putting money into the program to help residential, farm, and small businesses with low or moderate income and making all times the lowest possible for 45 days to accommodate being home.
- Expanding Access to the Emergency Assistance Program through Ontario Works (OW)
- Providing 6 money with no payment or interest accrual for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
*****For Seniors please inquire further
******For Businesses please inquire further