Updated March 27
Here is a breakdown for what is being offered to workers and students and how to access more details. Unfortunately, at this time these supports apply to domestic students only.
After previously announcing an $82 billion package of economic aid measures meant to blunt the financial fallout of COVID-19, on March 25 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government will now offer financial support to individuals primarily through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
The CERB will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:
- workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
- workers who 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 that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
- workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
- wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.
The CERB will be available via a secure portal on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website as of early April. See here to register.
6-month interest-free suspension of Canada (federal) student loan payments, from March 30 until September 30 – Those who qualify will be automatically enrolled. Note: this only applies to federal loans, and not provincial student loans or bank loans.
Broadened eligibility for Employment Insurance (EI) – Waiving of standard one-week period for sickness benefits which now include being unable to work due to Covid-19 illness or self-quarantine. Workers in self-quarantine also no longer have to produce a doctor’s note as part of their claim. Note: eligibility for EI still depends on personal specifics and regional rates of employment – the government recommends you apply for EI as soon as possible to see if you qualify.
$300 more per child for Canada Child Care Benefit (CCB) for the 2019/2020 year – This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May. Log in to your profile on the Canadian Revenue Agency website for more details if you are already enrolled in the program. For more info on the CCB program itself, see here.
An increase to the GST credit to $300 per person and $150 per child – Eligibility for the GST credit is based on your total income reported in your tax filings for the previous year. If you are eligible, you will automatically recieve the increased amount through direct deposit or a cheque in the mail. See eligibility criteria here.
Deadline for tax payments pushed back until after August 31, 2020
$50 million in extra funding for shelters to help those in situations of domestic abuse where self-isolation is not an option
