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May 5, 2020
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September 1, 2020
As we enter another week of physical distancing practice we wanted to put together an article that lists all the Emergency Response Benefits, so you, our clients don’t have to go looking through numerous government websites and media articles to find what you’re looking for. This pandemic has disrupted so many lives, and we want to remind you, you’re not alone.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic we’re expecting to see an echo-pandemic in mental health and at Yorktown Family Services we’ve been working hard to equip our clients with the tools they need to strengthen their resilience and support their mental health.
Below you’ll find information on the following benefits:
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
- Canada Student Loans Program
- Tax Filings for 2019 via NetFile
- GST Tax Credit/ CRA Account Setup
- Child Benefit Increase Payment
- All Federal Individual, Business and Support Sector Supports
If you’re in need of support as you navigate these applications please reach out to your local Youth Outreach Worker or Yorktown program manager.
1 Canada Emergency Response Benefit
What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
Who is Eligible
The Benefit is available to workers:
- Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- Who have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 orare eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020;
- Who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and,
- Who have not quit their job voluntarily
Apply here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
2 Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students, and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19.
This benefit is for students who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI).
From May to August 2020, the CESB provides a payment to eligible students of:
$1,250 for each 4-week period
or
$2,000 for each 4-week period, if you have dependants or a disability
Apply here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/emergency-student-benefit/cesb-who-apply.html
3 Canada Student Loans Program
Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time students increased to $6000 for part-time students in 2020-2021. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents would also double
More information: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid.html
Suspension and interest on Student and Apprentice Loans
All student loan borrowers will automatically have their loan repayments and interest suspended until September 30, 2020.
More information: https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca/en/what-is-new
4 Tax Filings
The filing due date for 2019 income tax returns for individuals has been deferred until June 1, 2020. Any new income tax balances due, or installments, are also being deferred until after August 31, 2020 without incurring interest or penalties.
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals
NETFILE
Taxes can be file online through a free application recommended by CRA. Refunds processed and direct deposited within 2 weeks. This is not an endorsement, but most commonly used is Turbo Tax by Intuit and SimpleTax by Simpletax Software Canada.
CRA Certified NETFILE Applications: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/netfile-overview/certified-software-netfile-program.html
5 GST Credit
The Government is providing a one-time special payment starting April 9 through the Goods and Services Tax credit for low- and modest-income families.
The average additional benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.
There is no need to apply for this payment. If you are eligible, you will get it automatically.
If they do not have a CRA account they may have not received these funds.
CRA Account Setup: https://apps1.ams-sga.cra-arc.gc.ca/gol-ged/awsc/amss/enrol/start?prog=mmbb
Information required (can also be done via mobile app at – “MyCRA” Mobile App)
- Enter your social insurance number.
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter your current postal code or ZIP code.
- Enter an amount you entered on one of your income tax and benefit returns. Have a copy of your returns handy. (The line amount requested will vary. It could be from the current tax year or the previous one.) To register, a return for one of these two years must have been filed and assessed.
6 Child Benefit (CCB) Payment Increase
Individuals who received CCB in April, will receive $300 per child more in their May installment, if they are still entitled to receive CCB. This is a one-time increase to the May 2020 CCB payment for the 2019-2020 benefit year (July 2019 to June 2020).
7 List of all Federal Funded Benefits for Individuals, business and Support Sectors
You can find a list of all supports and information on how to apply here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals.