Types of Income Support and Benefits if You Are Impacted By the COVID-19 Emergency
The following is meant as a short list of possible benefits that you may be able to access during the COVID-19 Emergency. It is not an exhaustive list and we encourage you to apply to each type of benefit that fits your situation and for which you are eligible.
Federal Benefits
The CRB supports Canadians by providing financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period. If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 19 eligibility periods (38 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
For more information click on the CRB Application web page.
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. Apply by selecting “Regular benefits” or “Sickness benefits” below whichever best applies to your situation.
For more information click on the Employment Insurance Application web page.
The one-time supplementary GST/HST credit payment will be issued starting on April 9, 2020. This payment is part of the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In most cases, all you have to do to receive the GST/HST credit each year is file your taxes, even if you have no income to report.
For more information click on the GST Tax Credit Application web page.
The Canada child benefit (CCB) is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The CCB may include the child disability benefit and any related provincial and territorial programs..
For more information click on the Canada Child Benefit Application web page.
Provincial Benefits
Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic can work with their utility company to defer electricity and natural gas bills until June 19, 2020 without any late fees or added interest payments. In addition, no Albertan can be cut off from these services or see their services reduced during this period.
For more information click on the Utility Payment Deferral web page.
Private Support
The Homeless Diversion Project is a time limited microloan service to support people that are homeless or on the cusp of being homeless. It is meant to ensure that people can leave shelters for market housing, do not get evicted, or otherwise end up in shelters. Funds available are only for rent, security deposits, and food. Debt, credit card charges, car loans, and other payments are not eligible for reimbursement. Applicants must go through an application process, sign a microloan agreement, and repay the loan starting one year from receiving the loan – payment is normally over 24 months. The Project will remain open only as funds exist for the service.
For more information contact the Centre for Newcomers.
Other Support Services
For other resources try these links:
211 is a resource listing of Services in Alberta
Calgary Foodbank
The Calgary Foodbank provides emergency food hampers
