On this page you will find information on existing and newly created programs to provide a summary of support options most relevant to families and businesses.

Housing support	Personal income support
Public services	Assistance for individuals and families

 Personal income support

B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers (BCEBW)

• The BCEBW is a one-time, tax-free $1,000 payment for British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most people who are eligible for the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are also eligible for the BCEBW.

Employment Insurance (EI)

• No change to regular benefit. Provides up to $573/week.
• Apply online.

EI Sickness Benefit

• One-week waiting period has been waived.
• Call 1-833-381-2725 or apply online.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

• $2000/month for up to four months to workers who have stopped working due to the pandemic, including those not eligible for EI, contract employees and freelancers.
• Call 1-800-959-2019 or apply online.

BC Emergency Benefit

• One-time additional tax-free payment of $1000 to those on EI or CERB.
• Learn more.

GST-credit

• One-time boost of up to $600 per eligible couple, $400 for eligible individuals in May.
• Benefit is paid out according to your income tax return.
• Learn more.

Climate Action Tax Credit

• One-time boost of up to $564 for eligible families of 4 and $218 for eligible individuals in an enhanced payment in July.  Children under 18 years old must be registered for the CCB to qualify.
• No other action is needed; benefit is paid out according to your income tax return.
• Learn more.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

• One-time boost of $300 per child in May.
• No action if you are already registered for CCB. Otherwise, apply online.

Income tax return

• Filing due date is deferred to June 1. Payments owed are deferred until after August 31.
• No action needed.

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Assistance for individuals and families

BC Hydro

• Bill deferral and payment plans.
• COVID-19 Relief Fund for individuals.  Potential to have your business energy charges waived for up to three months. Applications available week of April 13.
• Call 1-800-BC-HYDRO

FortisBC

• COVID-19 Customer Recovery Fund provides immediate relief to residential and small business customers facing hardship and a flexible framework for recovery.
• Learn more.

ICBC

• Monthly payment deferral for up to 90 days with no penalty.
• Apply online.

Emergency Child Care Funding

• Child care providers receiving emergency government funding cannot charge parent fees for any periods of closure or for vacant spaces and must reserve spaces for families, starting April.
• Check with your provider to see if they are in this program. Learn more.

BC Student Loans

• Six-month interest-free moratorium on repayment, starting April.
• Repayment will be paused automatically.
• Learn more.

Canada Student Loans

• Six-month interest-free moratorium on repayment, starting April.
• Repayment will be paused automatically.
• Learn more.

Student emergency assistance

• Students at public post-secondary institutions can apply for non-repayable emergency assistance that can be used to help with a broad range of costs, including living expenses, food, travel, portable computers and other supports for students who are not already able to study remotely.
• Contact your school’s financial aid office to apply.
• Learn more.

Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund for students

• Indigenous students at public post-secondary institutions can apply for non-repayable emergency assistance that can be used to help with a broad range of costs, including living expenses, groceries, cell phone bills, childcare, medical, dental, optical, and travel costs for family crisis or community obligations. Contact the Indigenous Student Service Centre on campus.
• Learn more.

Income Assistance & Disability Assistance

• Full exemption of CERB or EI for three months (no clawback).
• COVID-19 crisis supplement of additional $300/month for three months for those who do not qualify for federal emergency supports like CERB or EI.
• Those on BC Bus Pass Program will receive their $52 transportation supplement back in cash.
• “Work search” requirement for those on Income Assistance is suspended for now.
• No application needed, support boosts will be applied to next payments automatically.
• Learn more.

BC Senior’s Supplement

• Additional $300/month boost for three months for low-income seniors who receive the B.C. Senior’s Supplement. No application needed, support boosts will be applied to payments automatically.
• Learn more.

Seniors

• Existing programs continue to be available, including:
• Canada Pension Plan Retirement Pension
• Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit
• Old Age Security (OAS): $614/mo (max)
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): $916/mo (max)
• Allowance / Allowance for Survivor: $1389/mo (max)

Eligible seniors can apply online if they are not already enrolled.

BC Transit & TransLink

• Fare-free boarding on all buses. Enter through the rear of the bus, unless accessible loading is required.
• Learn more.

Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs)

• Minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) has been reduced by 25% for 2020.
• Learn more.

Emergency Travel Loan

• Emergency loan of $5000 available to Canadians travelling abroad.
• Call 613-996-8885 or email.

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Housing support

BC Hydro

• Bill deferral, payment plans, as well as crisis funding is available.
• Call 1-800-BC-HYDRO or apply online.

Freeze on rental rates

• No rent increases are allowed in BC, effective April 1. No action needed.
• Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch with questions.

Rental supplement

• Provides up to $500/month towards rent, paid directly to landlords.
• Learn more.

Mortgages (CMHC-insured)

• Mortgage payment deferrals available for CMHC-insured loans.
• Check with your lender.
• Learn more.

Mortgages (non-CMHC)

• Check with your lender about payment deferral options.
• Learn more.

Emergency housing

• Existing shelters still active and additional emergency options may be available.
• Search online.

Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association

• A list of resources answering questions of relevance to stratas and strata owners.

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Public services

Auto Insurance

• Renew auto insurance by email or phone.
• Learn more.
• Remote extensions for driver licensing available. All requests for medical information temporarily postponed. Call 1-800-950-1498.
• Payment deferrals available, more information.

Shaw

• Shaw has opened up access to Shaw Go WiFi whether or not you’re a customer.

BC Ferries

• Passengers may stay inside their vehicles the entire trip; on board food service is minimal; avoid non-essential travel.
• Learn more.

BC Transit & TransLink

• Fare-free boarding on all buses. Enter through the rear of the bus, unless accessible loading is required.
• Learn more.

BC Service Centres

• BC Service Centres will stay open, but the first hour of service is dedicated to seniors and other vulnerable people. You can also call for service: 1-800-663-7867.
• Learn more.

Canada Service Centres

• In-Person Canada Service Centres are now closed.
• Apply for benefits online.

Hospital parking

• Parking is free of charge at all health authority owned/operated health care sites. For staff, patients, and visitors only.

Court Proceedings

• Limitation periods to commence court proceedings have been suspended.

bc211

• bc211 is now also available to match volunteers with seniors in need of help with groceries, etc. Call 2-1-1 or visit online.

Mental health assistance

• Mental health is an important part of your physical health and personal well-being.
• Resources and phone numbers are available.

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