COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES

Official Federal Government Updates

- Federal Government's Economic Response Plan. Learn more
- Income-related Support
  - $2000 Canadian Emergency Response Benefits (CERB). A 4-month taxable benefit. Learn more
  - Application Form for Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. Learn more about the Application. Application download here
- Plain language summaries of government initiatives
  - What you need to know about CERB and how to apply. Read here
  - Plain-Language Guide for Getting Government Aid prepared by Carleton University’s Professor Jennifer Robson. Read here
  - Federal Supports: Quick Fact sheet by Together Against Poverty (TAPS). Read here

Official Provincial Government Updates

- General Provincial Government Updates. Learn More
- Provincial Supports. Learn more
- Provincial Government’s Facebook page. Easy to use information. Read here
- Overviews
  - BC Tenant Rights by TAPS. Read here
  - BC Welfare Benefit Summary by TAPS. Learn more
  - What Help is Available? South Okanagan West-Kootenay. Read here

- Rent-specific
  - Temporary Rent Supplement for $500/month for 3 months paid directly to landlords. Learn more
    - Application Form. Apply here
  - BC Rent Banks. Learn more
  - BC has temporarily suspended evictions of tenants and halted rent increases. Learn more
  - BC Hydro will defer bill payments or make flexible payment plans. Learn more, or call 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376)
  - BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Grant for customers who have lost jobs, wages or illness due to COVID-19. Grants up to $600. Learn more
    - BC Hydro’s Crisis Grant. Application

- Income-related
  - BC Emergency Benefit for Workers. Tax-Free one-time $1000 payment to workers affected by COVID-19. Eligibility criteria now posted. Learn more or apply now
  - Income & Disability Assistance $300/month. If you are already receiving this assistance you will automatically receive this benefit on your April, May and June cheque.
  - BC Seniors Supplement: $300/month automatic boost for low-income seniors. If you are receiving this assistance and not able to get the CERB benefit, you will automatically receive this benefit on your April, May and June cheque. Learn more
  - BC Climate Action Tax Credit. Non-taxable. Payment is automatic if you qualify and is in July 2020. Learn more
  - BC Transit and Translike are currently free. If currently receiving a Disability, the $52 will be added back to your cheque until bus fares return. Your bus pass will not be suspended. Learn more

- Victoria services for people who are homeless or in fear of being homeless. Shelters, food and meals, health care. Learn more
- BC First Nations Community Guide for Additional Support. Applications included on page. Learn more
- COVID-19 BC Rent Crisis Resources from Vancouver Tenants Union. Learn more
- COVID-19 Community Resources (Victoria). Learn more
- Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Learn More
- Free mental health support available to all BC residents. Learn More.
- Credit Counseling Society

Official Provincial Government Updates

- General government information. Learn more
- Rent-specific
  - Tenants cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent and/or utilities before May 1, 2020.
  - Rents on residential properties or mobile home sites will not increase while Alberta’s State of Public Health Emergency remains in effect.
  - Late fees cannot be applied to late rent payments until June 30 and cannot be collected retroactively for this time.
  - Landlords and tenants need to work together to develop payment plans while COVID-19 is being managed.
  - Landlords can still file applications and receive orders for possession if the reason for the eviction is unrelated to rent and/or utility payments, or if a tenant refused to negotiate or comply with a payment plan.
  - Utility payment deferral. Learn more
- Income-related

Official Provincial Government Updates

- Rent-specific
  - Eviction hearings postponed and rent increases frozen. Learn more
  - Residential Tenancies Branch: Information for tenants. Learn more
  - Residential Tenancies Branch: Q&A for landlords. Learn more
  - Guidance for Employees and Residents of Residential Complexes. Learn more
  - Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act. Read here
  - Manitoba Hydro stopped all disconnections related to overdue accounts. If you are unable to make payments, contact them.
- Income-related
- Human Rights
  - The Manitoba Human Rights Commission: Discrimination based on COVID-19. Read here

Official Provincial Government Updates

- Rent-specific
  - Landlord and Tenant Board News Releases. Learn more
  - Current evictions orders have been suspended and no new evictions are being processed (with a few exceptions)
- Income-related
  - Ontario Works. Additional support offered for recipients of social assistance. Learn more
  - Ontario’s list of Essential Workplaces as of May 4. Learn more. (Please note that this list can be updated at any time.)

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