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This is not an exhaustive list, and will be updated periodically as new information is revealed. A Carleton University professor has also put together a guide to these benefits. Learn more.
Please, if you are qualified, take the initiative to
apply for the below relief programs, current as of Sept 30, 2020. After you have exhausted these resources,
consider applying for Emergency Funding through Royal Roads, and
participate in the In-Course Award program where the majority of RRU funding is
allocated to students via competition (apply through MyAdmin>MyAwards).
BC Recovery Benefit
The BC Recovery Benefit is a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $1,000 for eligible families and single parents and up to $500 for eligible individuals.
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
The first benefit outlined in Bill C-4 most closely resembles the outgoing CERB program. It offers weekly payments of $500, for two-week periods, after which recipients must reapply.
Applicants may apply for up to 13 two-week periods, until September 25, 2021.
The CRB is available for residents of Canada who:
- Have a valid social insurance number (SIN)
- Are over the age of 15
- Earned at least $5,000 in the past year, from employment income, self employed income, Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or pregnancy/child benefits
- Lost at least 50 per cent of their income due to COVID-19
- Are not currently receiving EI
- Are actively seeking work and/or have not declined either reasonable offers to return to work or new offers of employment
- Are not receiving either of the other two benefits outlined in Bill C-4 (more below)
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
This benefit is very similar to CRB, but is intended for people who have either contracted or may have contracted COVID-19.
It offers a $500 payment for a maximum of two weeks to people who lose work due to self-isolating, contracting the virus, or from being more susceptible due to underlying conditions.
CRSB requires that applicants be residents of Canada who:
- Have a valid social insurance number (SIN)
- Are over the age of 15
- Earned at least $5,000 in the past year, from employment income, self employed income, Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or pregnancy/child benefits
- Lost at least 50 per cent of their income due to COVID-19
- Are not currently receiving EI
- Are not receiving either of the other two benefits outlined in Bill C-4
CRSB will also be implemented until September 25, 2021.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The last of three benefit streams is targeted for parents and caregivers of children and family members in need of supervised care.
Like the other two programs, it offers $500 payments, in this case for single-week periods up to a maximum of 26 weeks. It also is set to end on September 25, 2021.
The same eligibility criteria as CRSB applies, except the person applying should have lost income due to:
- Caring for a child under 12 who missed school due to COVID-19
- Caring for a child under 12 who contracted COVID-19 or is at serious risk of contracting COVID-19
- Caring for a family member who requires supervised care and was unable to attend a day program or facility due to it being closed for COVID-19 related reasons
- Caring for a family member who requires supervised care and was unable to attend a day program or facility due to the family member either contracting COVID-19 or self-isolating due to COVID-19 related reasons
This is expected to pass Senate approval beginning as soon as early October 2020.
Support for graduate students
- $291.6 million has been allocated to the federal granting councils to extend expiring federal graduate research scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships, and supplement existing federal research grants.
Changes to the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP)
- Students will be able to access additional loans and grants through the program. Low income grants will be doubled to $6,000 per academic year, weekly maximum student loan levels will increase from $210 to $350, and student and spousal contribution limits will be removed to reflect the loss of personal and family income during the pandemic.
- For Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the federal government will provide funds to provincial and territorial governments to expand their own student financial assistance programs.
Double the Goods and Service Tax Credit. In May eligible people will receive double the GST
credit, between $400-$600. Learn more.
Emergency Isolation Support.
Albertans can immediately apply for $1,146 paid directly to their bank accounts. Learn more.
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers provides a one-time $1,000 payment for people who lost income. Learn more.
For renters,
the B.C. government has imposed a moratorium on residential evictions and will
provide renters with up to $500 per month for the next four months to meet rent
payments. Anyone who's lost income due to COVID-19 can now apply online
to receive the monthly supplement. https://bchousing.org/bctrs
$300 Increase in Child Care Benefits. Starting in May, Child Care Benefits will increase by an additional $300 per child.
Bank deferral of loans and lines-of-credit. Please contact your bank directly.
Banks in Canada are working with customers to provide flexible solutions, on a case-by-case basis, for managing through hardships caused by recent developments. This may include situations such as pay disruption, childcare disruption, or illness. This support will include up to a 6-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. These targeted measures respond to immediate challenges being faced across the country and will help stabilize the Canadian economy (from https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html#Income_Support_for)
90-day deferral of Utilities. Request a deferral of utility payments for 90-days from your provider.
Other resources or suggestions in the comment section are welcome!
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