COVID-19 Resources

1. Income Tax Returns & Direct Deposit: for many of these supports a current tax return must be filed and direct deposit info must be up to date (see Income Tax section below).

2. Many service providers have closed their doors to the public BUT are still providing services via phone, email and other means. Check their websites for ways to get in touch with them.

Government of Canada resources:

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html#individuals

· Employment Insurance (EI):

There were temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians who need financial assistance. The minimum benefit rate is $500 per week before taxes in most cases.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit.html

Toll-Free: 1-800-206-7218

· Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB):

The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

· Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB):

The CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:

· Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19

· Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19

· have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit/crsb-how-apply.html

· Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB):

The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

· unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19

· because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit/crcb-how-apply.html

· Mortgage payment deferral:

· To know if you are eligible for a mortgage payment deferral or to learn what options are available, contact your lender — your bank or your mortgage professional.

Notes

1. As of September 2020, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was discontinued and people are now encouraged to apply for the following other benefits.

2. People need to be aware that some of these benefits are taxable (that is, they will need to be included on their tax returns and will result in taxes owing).

3. People are encouraged to set up their My Account to view their benefits and/or tax information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals.html

Provincial Supports

· Income Support & Emergency Needs Allowance:

https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-financial-assistance.aspx

You can apply for the Emergency Needs Allowance if:

· you are a current Income Support client

· you are an Albertan earning an income, but you do not have enough money to cover this one-time, short-term emergency that will last no longer than a month

· you meet the Income Support program eligibility requirements

Information: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-supports.aspx

Online application: https://myalbertasupports.alberta.ca/CitizenPortal/application.do

For general information on Income Support benefits, you can call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:

Hours: 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Toll free: 1-877-644-9992

Email: css.ascc@gov.ab.ca

If an emergency occurs outside regular hours, you can call the 24-hour Contact Centre toll free at 1-866-644-5135.

City of Calgary Supports

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/support/individuals/support-for-individual.html

If you need support and resources, please call 211 to access services in the community. You can also connect with 211 online.

Includes links to:

· Low income support

· Access to food

· Mental health support

National Student Loan info

https://www.csnpe-nslsc.canada.ca/en/what-is-new

Utility Payment Deferrals

https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid19-90-day-utility-deferral.pdf

Budget Planner

https://itools-ioutils.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/BP-PB/budget-planner

COVID-19 SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESSES

Federal Economic Supports*:

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

Includes links to:

· Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy:

Subsidy that covers up to 75% of an employee’s wages for qualifying eligible employers, with this subsidy rate in effect until March 13, 2021. The wage subsidy supports you to keep and re-hire your employees and avoid layoffs. The CEWS is available until June 2021.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/wage-subsidy.html

· Work-Sharing program:

Provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers. Extended to 76 weeks.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing/apply.html

· Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

Provides interest-free, partially forgivable, loans of up to $60,000, to small businesses and not-for-profits, that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 but face ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages. Business owners can apply for support until March 31, 2021 through their banks and credit unions.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/financial-sector-policy/business-credit-availability-program.html#a1

· Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) & Lockdown Support

Provides a direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage subsidy of up to 65% of eligible expenses to qualifying businesses, charities and non-profits.

Qualifying organizations that have been significantly restricted by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority can receive an additional 25% of rent support through the Lockdown Support.

The combined effect of the rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support is that hard-hit businesses, non-profits and charities subject to a lockdown can receive rent support of up to 90%.

The rent subsidy and the Lockdown Support are available until June 2021.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html

Provincial Supports for Business:

· Alberta Biz Connect

Workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 operate safely and support recovery.

https://www.alberta.ca/biz-connect.aspx

· Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant:

Funding is available for small- and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to offset a portion of their relaunch costs.

https://www.alberta.ca/sme-relaunch-grant.aspx

· Critical Worker Benefit:

Get $1,200 for serving on the frontlines during the pandemic. Eligible Albertans include health, social services, core retail and supply chain workers.

https://www.alberta.ca/critical-worker-benefit.aspx

· Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit

Additional financial support for businesses severely impacted by the pandemic and public health restrictions will be available starting in mid-April.

https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-covid-19-business-benefit.aspx

City of Calgary Supports

https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cema/covid19/support/business/businesses-and-covid-19.html

General Enquiries

Programs & Services in Calgary – Call 211

https://www.ab.211.ca/

Service Alberta (provincial)

https://www.alberta.ca/contact.cfm

Toll-Free across Alberta: 310-0000

Service Canada (federal) - single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits (CPP, EI, OAS)

Canada.ca/service-canada-home

Toll-free: 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)

City services - Call 311

For City information and non-emergency and non-law enforcement related services (e.g. bylaw-related issues, potholes, street cleaning, tax account inquiries).

https://www.calgary.ca/CFOD/CSC/Pages/311.aspx

Health & Medical Resources

PurposeMed

Free online doctor’s visit service available to residents of Alberta from Mon-Fri from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

https://purposemed.com/

Income & Employment (plus service opportunities)

Employment Insurance

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

Toll-Free: 1-800-206-7218

Income Support (Alberta Supports / Alberta Works)

https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-supports.aspx

Toll-Free: 1-800-206-7218

Church Employment Resources

https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/?lang=eng

Calgary Employment Services:

https://www.alberta.ca/calgary-employment-services.aspx

Alberta Learning Information Services (Career & Employment help)

https://alis.alberta.ca/

LinkedIn:

A great resource for networking with individuals and groups in employment, occupations and industry

https://www.linkedin.com/

New to LinkedIn, try the help centre: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/

Income Tax, Child Tax Benefit, GST

***Often when there are credits or benefits from the federal and provincial governments, they are paid if your Income Tax Returns have been filed and are up to date and your Direct Deposit information is current. It is essential to be current with your taxes to receive some of these payments.

Canada Revenue Agency (Taxes, Child Tax Benefit, GST)

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html

Personal taxes: 1-800-959-8281

Child Tax Benefit: 1-800-387-1193

Business: 1-800-959-5525

· My Account registration: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals.html

Free Tax Clinics:

If your income is low enough, you can attend a free tax clinic where volunteers file tax returns for eligible people. Visit this website for more info:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.html

City Services

Low-income Transit passes:

http://www.calgarytransit.com/fares-passes/passes/low-income-monthly-pass

Library

403-260-2600 (Call and chat about programs and services)

https://calgarylibrary.ca/

The Way In (a network of four agencies supporting older adults in Calgary)

http://thewayincalgary.ca/

403-SENIORS (403-736-4677)

Directories of other Community Services

https://informalberta.ca/public/common/viewComboList.do?comboListId=1002001

Stress & Mental Health

AB Health Services – Stress Self-Care Resources:

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/youth-addiction-mental-health/stress/stress-self-care-resources

Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Canadian Mental Health Association - Recovery College (free courses):

https://recoverycollegecalgary.ca/

Distress Centre:

https://www.distresscentre.com/need-help/211-2/

Other possibilities:

Physical activity (exercising), yoga, diet, etc.

Banks, Utilities, Student Loans, Bills, etc.

*** Keep in contact with them!!! Do not miss a payment without calling them to discuss your situation. Many are willing to work with you if you are willing to work with them.

More info available at (scroll down the page):
https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-support-for-employers.aspx

Training & Personal Development

Calgary Public Library:

The library has many free online resources and programs. Several paid services can be accessed for free via the library’s website and with a current library card. Library cards are free to Calgary residents.

403-260-2600 (Call and chat about programs and services)

https://calgarylibrary.ca/

https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/digital-library/

https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/digital-library/?query=

Marigold Library System: A network of libraries in rural communities all around Calgary and Southern Alberta. Check with your local library about free programming on a wide variety of topics.

https://marigold.ab.ca/Member-Libraries

Just Serve (community service opportunities):

https://www.justserve.org/

Family History:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/

Free online courses:

https://www.coursera.org/

https://www.lynda.com/ (note, Lynda.com is free if you login via the Calgary Public Library portal)