To determine eligibility for federal programs, this survey will direct you to benefits individuals may be entitled to receive. 

Determine your eligibility on their website!

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The CRB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period.

»For more information on Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)« 

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The CRSB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.

If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 4 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. You cannot apply for periods that are closed.

»For more information on the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)«

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. The CRCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period. If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. Each household may apply up to a total of 42 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

»For more information on the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)«

The Canada child benefit (CCB) is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The CCB may include the child disability benefit and any related provincial and territorial programs.

The CCB young child supplement (CCBYCS) provides up to four tax-free payments in 2021 to families with children under the age of six to help pay for a wide range of expenses. Families may be entitled to receive up to $1,200 per child under the age of six.

Info: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan | Canada Child Benefit Overview | CCB Young Child Supplement

This program will provide the option of an emergency repayable loan to Canadians in need of immediate financial assistance to return home or to temporarily cover their life-sustaining needs while they work toward their return. Each application will be assessed according to their specific situation and needs.
Info: COVID-19: Financial help if you are outside Canada

A one-time tax-free payment of $600 to Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate will be given.

The deadline for the one-time $600 disability tax credit payment has been extended to December 31, 2020.

Info: »One-time payment to persons with disabilities«

A one-time tax-free payment of $300 will be given to seniors who are eligible for Old Age Security with an additional payment of $200 to seniors who also receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement.

The one-time increase is intended to address concerns with rising costs in medications, grocieries, and other living expenses.

Info: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Guaranteed Income Supplement: Overview

The Government of Canada will be transitioning to a simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to those who remain unable to work and are eligible, and introducing a new suite of temporary and taxable recovery benefits to further support workers.

Summary of temporary measures to help Canadians access EI benefits more easily

• 120 hours of work required to qualify
• Minimum benefit rate of $400 per week
• At least 26 weeks of regular benefits

Info: Employment Insurance (EI) Program | Increased access to EI and recovery benefits

The Indigenous Community Support fund provides Indigenous leadership and organizations with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. These funds can 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.

For more info: »Indigenous Community Support Fund«

Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to Designated Communities (urban centers), Indigenous communities, territorial communities and rural and remote communities across Canada.

For more info: Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives

To support Canada’s most vulnerable people, the Government of Canada announced emergency funding for organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence. This includes taking critical measures and making new investments to support shelters and transition housing that provide a safe space for women experiencing violence and their families, and to ensure anyone facing gender-based violence has a safe place to turn.

For more info: Supporting women and children fleeing violence during COVID-19

As of April 1, 2021, no interest will be charged on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans. This measure is temporary. For more information, please see the proposed changes in this year’s budget announcement.

Provincial interest rates may still apply. Contact the NSLSC or your province or territory to find out more.

Info: Canada Student Loans – COVID19 |  NSLSC | CALSC

The Government of Canada has compiled a list of benefit programs to help those who face financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you live in Canada, even temporarily, there may be support for you.

For more info: »Financial assistance for newcomers, temporary residents and refugees« 

If you are facing an unexpected emergency, you can apply for emergency financial assistance. You can get help when: a situation is caused by unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control, and it presents a severe health risk, and you cannot access other resources or wait until your next pay-cheque or Income Support benefit cheque.

Info: Emergency Financial Assistance

ABTraceTogether is a mobile contact tracing app that helps to let you know if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 – or if you’ve exposed others – while protecting your privacy. Quickly identifying and isolating positive cases is an important part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and preventing the spread.

Info: ABTraceTogether App

Read and share – Family violence during COVID-19 info sheet

• In case of an emergency, call 911. Police and emergency responders will continue to respond throughout the pandemic, even to those in quarantine.
• Family Violence Info Line

o   anonymous support from trained staff:

• Call 310-1818 | 24/7 | 170+ languages
• Chat online alberta.ca/SafetyChat | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily | English

Info: Family Violence during COVID-19 Info Sheet

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters has a list of available shelters in each city in Alberta.

If you are in immediate danger call 911
If you need to speak with someone at a shelter near you, call our toll free line at 1-866-331-3933 and press 1

See full member shelters.

This report provides necessary information for emergency shelters and temporary housing facilities to help prepare and know what to do during an outbreak.

Download the report here.

Online Peer Support: In response to the evolving COVID-19 situation we had added new ONLINE Caregiver Support Community groups happening each Monday and Thursday! Learn More & Register

Caregiver Advisor: Need one-on-one support? Our Caregiver Advisor can connect you to the resources you need, offer personalized support and is there to listen when you just need to talk. You can connect to our Caregiver Advisor by:

• Phone: 780-453-5088 | 1-877-453-5088 (toll-free)
• Email: ladams@caregiversalberta.ca