Get financial assistance during COVID-19

We will do our best with updating this list. If you have suggestions or comments, please email communityengagement@feministsdeliver.com.

For individuals

 

Special Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit

One-time special payment close to $400 for single individuals, and $600 for couples

Who is this for? Low- and modest-income people

When is this available? Early May 2020

How to apply? No need to apply; eligible people will get it automatically

More information available here

Climate Action Tax Credit

A one-time enhancement to the climate action tax credit will be paid in July 2020 for moderate to low-income families: An adult will receive up to $218.00 (increased from $43.50) and a child will receive $64.00 (increased from $12.75)

Who is this for? Residents of BC who is at least 19 years old, or have a spouse or common-law partner, or a parent who lives with your child

When is this available? July 2020

Apply Here.

BC Hydro Customer Assistance Program and Customer Crisis Fund

Customers can defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans with no penalty through the COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program. Customers experiencing job loss, illness or lost wages due to COVID-19 can access grants up to $600 to pay their hydro bills through the Customer Crisis Fund

 How to access? Call 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376).

ICBC Autoplan Payment Plan

Customers on a monthly Autoplan payment plan, who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19, can defer their payment for up to 90 days with no penalty.

How to access? Use their online tool at icbc.com or call 604-661-2723 or 1-800-665-6442.

Learn more here. 

TransLink

No fares are collected during this time. If customers are not using their monthly pass due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they can call Compass Customer Service and discuss options which may be available to them. Compass Customer Service can be reached at 1-888-207-4055.

More information available here

And here.

For parents

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

Extra $300 per child for 2019-2020, approximately $500 more for the average family

Who is this for? Parent or guardian who live with a child 18 years or younger (see full details on eligibility on Canada.ca)

When is this available? Early May 2020

Apply Here

For people with disabilities
Income and Disability Assistance 

You can automatically receive a $300 supplement on your cheques issued in April, May, and June if you are not receiving EI or CERB.

Who is this for? People who don’t qualify for federal Employment Insurance (EI) or Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) who are on Income Assistance, Disability Assistance, Comforts Allowance, and BC Senior’s Supplement

When is this available? April, Mary, and June 2020

How to apply? No need to apply; eligible people will receive it automatically 

Learn more here

Translink and BC Transit

No fares are collected during this time. If you are on Disability Assistance and receiving the BC Bus Pass, you will automatically receive the $52 Transportation Supplement on your cheque starting in April.

Who is this for? People who are on Disability Assistance and receiving the BC Bus Pass. 

When is this available?This will continue for as long as BC Transit and Translink are suspending fares

How to access? Click here.

For seniors
Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs)

Minimum withdrawal on RRIF is temporarily reduced by 25%. OAS, CPP will come as usual.

Who is this for? Seniors

Learn more here

Income and Disability Assistance 

You can automatically receive a $300 supplement on your cheques issued in April, May, and June if you are not receiving EI or CERB.

Who is this for? People who don’t qualify for federal Employment Insurance (EI) or Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) who are on Income Assistance, Disability Assistance, Comforts Allowance, and BC Senior’s Supplement

When is this available? April, Mary, and June 2020

How to apply? No need to apply; eligible people will receive it automatically 

Learn more here

Translink and BC Transit

No fares are collected during this time. If you are on Disability Assistance and receiving the BC Bus Pass, you will automatically receive the $52 Transportation Supplement on your cheque starting in April

Who is this for? People who are on Disability Assistance and receiving the BC Bus Pass. 

When is this available? This will continue for as long as BC Transit and Translink are suspending fares

How to access? Click here.

For workers
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) (replaces Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit)

Receive $2,000 per month, up to four months

Who is this for? All Canadians who stopped working because of COVID-19 including Canadians who lost their job, are sick, quarantined, taking care of someone sick with COVID-19, working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children, self-employed people, wage earners, contract workers who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI), workers who aren’t receiving income because of work disruptions, workers whose EI benefits end by October 3, 2020 (apply to CERB after)

When is this available? Early April 2020

Lear more

Employment Insurance

Sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement

Who is this for? Individuals who lost their jobs even though it’s not their fault (ie. Not enough work, seasonal, mass lay-offs) and are available to work but can’t find jobs

When is this available? Now

Apply here

BC Emergency Benefit for Workers

Get a one-time $1,000 payment if you lost your income because of COVID-19

Who is this for? BC residents who receive federal employment insurance or the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit are eligible

When is this available? May 2020

Learn how to apply

For renters
Temporary Rent Supplement

Up to $500 per month paid directly to landlords for up to three months; evictions have been banned; rent increase freeze

Who is this for? Renters who are facing financial hardship but do not quality for existing rental assistance programs; eligibility to be posted on BCHousing.org by Friday, March 27

When is this available? Application process available online in early April 2020

More information here

For students
Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans

You don’t have to pay loans until September 30, 2020, and there will be no accrued interest.

Who is this available for? Students who use the Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans program

When is this available? Pending parliamentary approval, this will be available starting March 30, 2020 to September 30, 3030

How to apply? No need to apply for the repayment pause

More information here. 

BC Student Loans

You don’t have to pay student loans for six months.

Who is this for? Students using BC student loans

When is this available? Starting March 30, 2020

More information here

For small businesses
Temporary wage subsidy

Prevent further job losses, encourage employers to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, and help better position Canadian companies and other employers to more easily resume normal operations following the crisis. The subsidy will be equal to 75% of remuneration for up to 12 weeks.

Who is this for? Individuals, taxable corporations, and partnerships consisting of eligible employers as well as non‑profit organizations and registered charities, public bodies and others

When is this available? Eligibility would generally be determined by the change in an eligible employer’s monthly revenues, year-over-year, for the calendar month in which the period began.

How do I receive the subsidy? Click here

Business Credit Availability Program

More than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses, through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC)

Who is this for? Small- and medium-sized businesses; ask your bank

Learn more here