Where can I turn for assistance?
Our Edmontonians need our help now more than ever. I’ve compiled a list of what our local, provincial, and federal governments have been doing, and what assistance they are offering. For now, these are some things that may temporarily ease the financial struggle. Our hope is to ensure all Edmontonians and Canadians are taken care of during this time.
Temporary Income Support for Workers and Parent
For Canadians without paid sick leave (or similar), who are sick and quarantined, and/or forced to stay home to care for children, the government has introduced:
Emergency Care Benefit: providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment Benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Those receiving Canada Child Benefits will see a $300-per-child top-up in May.
Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. They will need to re-attest every two weeks to reconfirm their eligibility. Canadians will select one of three channels to apply for the Benefit:
- by accessing it on their CRA MyAccount secure portal;
- by accessing it from their secure My Service Canada Account; or
- by calling a toll free number equipped with an automated application process.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html
Bank Loans
- Most banking institutions will allow payments to be deferred (mortgages, car loans, etc). By doing this, you will likely pay additional interest on the back end of the loan.
- Small businesses may receive deferrals of up to 6 months.
- This does not apply to short term loan companies, such as Money Mart.
Taxes
- Federal and Provincial are still open to file. Strongly advised if you have a refund.
- Municipal: Assessments will be mailed in May, no late penalties until Aug 31.
- Provincial: Corporate income tax balances and installment payments will be deferred to Aug 31.
- Federal: Filing deadline extended until June 1.
More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html
Rent
- Some landlords and companies are taking it upon themselves to suspend evictions. As of right now, there has been NO legislation passed to prevent evictions.
- Call your landlord as soon as possible and see if they are willing to work out a payment plan.
Transit
Edmonton Transit has taken a number of changes and will likely keep changing as the situation changes further.
- Free TransitETS will be allowing boarding at the back doorTo reduce transmission through cash fare and tickets
- Ridership is not encouraged, but service is there for those who need it. The City is currently looking at mechanisms such as refunds or credits to those who purchased annual passes. More info as it becomes available.
- April passes can be reimbursed through the City’s website.
More information: https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets.aspx |