Federal Government Programs: Support for Individuals
The programs below have been announced by the Federal Government as supports available to individuals. Your project’s employees and contractors may be eligible to access some of these supports depending on their circumstances. As these programs are new, information is changing fast and we are doing our best to update this page as new announcements are shared.
If you have questions about quick programs that may be appropriate for your team, please reach out to the People & Culture team at [email protected].
Because these are not programs for employers, there will be limits to what MakeWay can do to help with the actual applications because the systems won’t be designed for us to access. However, we’ll do whatever we can to support you.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
The Federal Government has opened up requirements for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which provides $2,000/month ($500/weeek) for up to 16 weeks. To receive the benefit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You are resident in Canada
- You are 15 years of age or older at the time of application
- You have not quit your job voluntarily
- You are not receiving nor have you applied for the CERB from the Canada Revenue Agency
- You are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits for the same benefit period
- You have earned a minimum of $5,000 in income in the 12 months prior to your application or in the 2019 calendar year from:
- Employment income and/or
- Self-employment income
- You have been paid Employment Insurance regular benefits for at least a week since December 29, 2019 and have used up your entitlement to those benefits; or
- You have stopped or will stop working for reasons related to COVID-19, or because you are unable to work due to illness, or because you lost your employment for other reasons beyond your control; and either
- You have stopped or will stop working for at least 14 consecutive days within the 4-week benefit period and have or expect to receive no more than $1,000 in combined employment or self-employment income for these consecutive days; or
- If you are applying for a 4-week benefit period that immediately follows your previous application, you did not receive more than $1,000 in combined employment or self employment income since receiving the benefit and do not expect to receive more than $1,000 in combined employment or self employment income for this 4-week benefit period.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit application is accessible through a secure web portal as of April 6, 2020. Applicants can also apply over the phone: 1‑800‑959‑2019 or 1‑800‑959‑2041
This benefit replaces the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit.
Improved Access to Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
If you are sick, quarantined or have been directed to self-isolate, the Federal Government will waive the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits.
Increased Canada Child Benefit
Federal Government is providing an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This will mean approximately $550 more for the average family. This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May. Click here to learn more and to access the application.
Those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit do not need to re-apply.
Special Goods and Services Tax Credit Payment
Federal Government is providing a one-time special payment by early May 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.
Extra Time to File Income Tax Returns
The Federal Government is deferring the filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals.
For individuals (other than trusts), the return filing due date will be deferred until June 1, 2020.
The Federal Government will also allow any new income tax balances due, or instalments, to be deferred until after August 31, 2020 without incurring interest or penalties.
Note: If you expect to receive benefits under the Goods and Services Tax credit or the Canada Child Benefit, you are encouraged to not delay your 2019 return filing to ensure that your entitlements are properly determined.
Mortgage Support
Canadian banks have committed to work with their customers on a case-by-case basis to find solutions to help them manage hardships caused by COVID-19. Canadians who are impacted by COVID-19 and experiencing financial hardship, as a result, should contact their financial institution regarding flexibility for a mortgage deferral. This allows flexibility to be available − when needed − to those who need it the most.
Contact your financial institution for further mortgage assistance.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and other mortgage insurers offer tools to lenders that can assist homeowners who may be experiencing financial difficulty. These include payment deferral, loan re-amortization, capitalization of outstanding interest arrears and other eligible expenses, and special payment arrangements.
Canada’s mortgage insurers are committed to providing homeowners with solutions to mitigate temporary financial hardship related to COVID-19. This includes permitting lenders to defer up to six monthly mortgage payments (interest and principal) for impacted borrowers. Deferred payments are added to the outstanding principal balance and subsequently repaid throughout the life of the mortgage.
Improving Access to Essential Food Support
The Federal Government is providing $100 million to national, regional, and local organizations across Canada to:
- Purchase, transport and distribute food and other basic necessities
- hire temporary help to fill volunteer shortages
- implement safety measures, such as the purchase of personal protective equipment, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among volunteers and clients.
These organizations – including but not limited to Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada – will work with partners to meet the urgent food needs of Canadians.
Enhancing the Reaching Home Initiative
The Federal Government continues to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $157.5 million to the Reaching Home initiative.
The funding could be used for a range of needs such as purchasing beds and physical barriers for social distancing and securing accommodation to reduce overcrowding in shelters.
Women’s Shelters and Sexual Assault Centres
The Federal Government is supporting women and children fleeing violence, by providing up to $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres, including facilities in Indigenous communities, to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities
Learn moreYouth Mental Health Support
The Federal Government is giving $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time.
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Community Support Fund
The Federal Government is providing $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.
These funds could be used for measures including, but not limited to:
- support for Elders and vulnerable community members,
- measures to address food insecurity,
- educational and other support for children,
- mental health assistance and emergency response services,
- preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Supporting Preparedness in First Nations and Inuit Communities
The Federal Government is providing $100 million to support a range of federal health measures, including support for preparedness in First Nation and Inuit communities. These funds will:
- respond to identified needs to update and activate pandemic plans
- support an effective allocation of public health and primary health care capacity to respond to the COIVD-19 outbreak
- align response efforts with scientific evidence as determined by a medical officer of health
- address immediate needs in the short term
In addition to the measures above, Indigenous peoples may also be eligible for benefits listed under Support for individuals and Support for businesses.
Support for Seniors
Reduced minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income Funds
The Federal Government reduced the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25 percent for 2020.
Supporting the delivery of items and personal outreach
The Federal Government is contributing $9 million through United Way Canada for local organizations to support practical services to Canadian seniors. These services could include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports.
Immediate and essential services through the New Horizons for Seniors Program
The Federal Government announced that organizations who received funding under the 2019-2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program community-based stream will be able to use their funding to provide immediate and essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19.
Activities can start immediately and can include:
- supporting seniors in staying connected with their community and family by providing electronic devices, virtual activities and remote tutorials;
- supporting the delivery of food and medication to self-isolated seniors at home;
- assisting seniors to undertake essential activities, such as visits to the doctor;
- hiring staff to replace a loss of a senior volunteer due to the outbreak;
- providing information to seniors regarding how to care for themselves during the pandemic.
Support for Students and Recent Graduates
Suspend repayment and interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans
All student loan borrowers will automatically have their loan repayments and interest suspended until September 30, 2020.
Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause.
This moratorium applies to the federal portion of student loans. Borrowers should check with their provincial or territorial student loan provider to see if payment is required on the provincial or territorial portion.