Due to the provincial shutdown, effective on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., if you are laid off or cannot be employed remotely, here is a Quick Reference Guide to the income and other supports available to you during this emergency:
INCOME SUPPORT:
If you are laid off due to work closures:
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Apply for regular EI benefits here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/apply.html
If you are facing reduced work hours:
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Talk to your employer about EI Work-Sharing benefits, find more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html
If you are facing unemployment AND you don’t qualify for EI:
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Apply for the Emergency Support Benefit (long-term income support)
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Applications will open in April through the CRA Web site and a toll-free number
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Amounts and eligibility are not announced yet (total funding is $5 billion)
If you are unable to work due to illness/self-quarantine:
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Apply for EI Sickness benefits here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html
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Call 1-833-381-2725 to have the one-week waiting period waived
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You do NOT need a medical certificate if you are quarantined
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Up to $573 a week
If you are self-quarantined and ineligible for EI:
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Apply for the Emergency Care Benefit
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Applications will open in April through the CRA website and a toll-free number
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Up to $900 every 2 weeks for up to 15 weeks
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No doctor’s note required
If you are self-employed:
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Apply for the Emergency Care Benefit (see above)
If you are staying home to care for someone:
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Apply for the Emergency Care Benefit (see above) if you are staying home to take care of a family member with COVID-19 who doesn’t qualify
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Apply for the Emergency Care Benefit (see above) if you are a parent staying home to care for children due to school closures, whether or not you qualify for EI
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS
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NOTE: Tax filing deadline has been extended to June 1, payments due August 31
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Low to middle income Canadians: GST credit top-up (average of $400 for single adults, $600 for couples) available as soon as May 2020
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Families: Enhanced Canada Child Benefit this year (additional $300 per child)
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Homeowners: Deferral of mortgage payments for affected Canadians by up to 6 months (disruptions to your pay interruptions to child care, or unexpected health needs)
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Students: Freezing all Canada Student Loans payments and interest for 6 months (average savings $160 per month)
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Seniors: Reducing mandatory withdrawal from RRIFs by 25%
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Indigenous: New $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund
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Vulnerable Population: Additional $50 million available to shelters and centres for women and children fleeing domestic violence
GENERAL & MEDICAL INFORMATION
Call 1-888-COVID19/1-888-268-4319 for non-medical information on the virus, covering everything from travel recommendations to social distancing (available in more than 110 languages from 7:30am – 8:00pm, 7 days a week)
