COVID-19 Resources for Individuals
Register for My Account for Individuals
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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
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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
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
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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.
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Some of the qualifications laid off and is eligible for Regular EI or Sick benefits due to COVID-19,
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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.
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You must also have earned at least $5000 in 2019 or past 12 months (maternity, parental or adoption benefits count).
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You need to have 14 days in a row of no income in each four-week period.
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HOW TO APPLY for CERB Registration is available starting April 6 online with CRA My Account so again please register.
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A toll-free number will be available soon.
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You will not need an ROE and if you have pending EI applications they can be moved to CERB.
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When you register for My Account you do need to wait for security pin but you will have access to your 'My CRA Account" immediately and you can put in an application right away.
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If you qualify you will be paid every 4 weeks.
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This money is considered a taxable benefit and will need to be claimed on taxes next year.
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You will need to check in every month that you are still not working.
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This link will tell you how to apply and who can apply
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Information on how to apply for EI
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B.C. One Time Emergency Benefit for Workers
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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 parents this will also apply to those workers that are eligible and not eligible for EI including self-employed.
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Income Tax & Tax Credits for Individuals
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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!
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Income Assistance for Self Employed
EI for self-employed people, Click here!
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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.
How to Apply: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html
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B.C. 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 parents this will also apply to those workers that are eligible and not eligible for EI including self-employed.
Click Here for more information.
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Mortgage Support
This is a case by case bases, but Mortgage deferral may be available to help with financial hardship
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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.
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Click Here for more information
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Rent Relief
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
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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!
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Bills and Payment Relief for Individuals
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Student Loans
BC student loan payments will be frozen starting Mar 30, 2020, for 6 months. Check here for details
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BC Hydro
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.
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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.
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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.