COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the way many Canadian industries operate, with working hours reduced by 27% and 15% of Canadians experiencing job loss from February to April 2020. As of October, employment rates have yet to recover to pre-pandemic rates.
The federal and provincial governments have responded to Canadian with several programs to help alleviate their financial burdens:
- COVID-19 emergency assistance
- A minimum of $733/month is available for individuals in emergency situations, including but not limited to those facing eviction, domestic violence, and/or unsafe living conditions.
- For more information on eligibility criteria and to apply, click here.
- Canadian Recovery Benefit – Replacing the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program for the September 2020-September 2021 period
- CERB has ended, however retroactive applications for the March 2020-September 2020 eligibility periods are still being processed. For more information on CERB, click here. Available for Canadian residents who are unemployed OR experiencing job loss and/or significant work hour reductions due to COVID-19 restrictions.
- Provides a $1,000 benefit for a two-week period
- Recipients are expected to actively seek employment during their benefit period, but can re-apply for following period(s) as long as they are eligible
- For more information on eligibility criteria and to apply, click here.
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- You cannot receive EI and CRB concurrently.
- Employees need only 120 insured hours of work to be eligible for benefits.
- Benefits are calculated based on a minimum unemployment rate of 13.1% per province OR your province’s current unemployment rate, whichever is higher.
- Record(s) of employment (ROEs) must be submitted.
- Medical notes/certification are not required when applying for sickness benefits.
- For more information about the temporary changes to EI and how to ensure you receive EI benefits through your employer, click here.
- Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP)
- Canada Student Grants have been doubled for full-time and part-time students (to $6,000 and $3,600, respectively), as well as students with permanent disabilities and students with dependents
- Weekly maximum loan limits have increased from $210 to $350
- Expected fixed contributions from student recipients (and spouses, if applicable) have been removed
- For more information on eligibility, loans and grants available by province, and the application processes for CSLP-funded benefits, click here.
In addition to financial programs, there are supports available for Ontario residents struggling with rental payments, utility bills, child support payments, and other finance-adjacent issues. These resources, including eligibility criteria and program duration, can be found here.