BC Provincial Support Summary
Today's update is a summary of financial support available from the Government of BC. If you live elsewhere in Canada, this may not be relevant to you and I hope you are able to find similar (or better!) supports in your province/territory.
This update contains:
High-level summary of BC provincial support available
Deep-dive look at the BC Temporary Rental Supplement (BC-TRS), which opened for applications on Thursday, April 9th
Before that, however, I want to highlight that there has been a historic meeting of parliament today (on a Saturday of a long weekend!) to discuss legislation surrounding the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. This is the largest piece of financial aid legislation passed since World War II. I'm looking forward to seeing the finalized legislation and getting more details out to business owners and employers in the near future. I will note, however, that it will still be 2 -5 weeks before businesses can expect to see this subsidy land in their bank accounts.
In addition to the wage subsidy, there was much-heated debate and pointed questioning about expanding eligibility for the CERB to include:
small corporation business owners who, in the past year, received their earnings entirely as dividends instead of wages
workers who continue to earn reduced/minimal income while receiving the CERB
workers who have been on EI for some time already, and whose benefits are about to run out
seasonal workers who have been on EI and would just now be returning to work, when their jobs are no longer there
I am hopeful that these changes will be detailed and go into effect sometime this week.
I'd also like to remind you if you have particular ways that you are not supported by the current government initiatives, please reach out to your local Member of Parliament to share your story. Today in the House of Commons I heard multiple MPs sharing personal stories from their constituents and genuinely acting as champions for members of their communities. While they don't always fulfill our expectations, they are there to serve us, to act as representatives on our behalf at the Federal level, and if we don't tell them the ways in which we need support they can't advocate effectively on our behalf. Make your voice heard, either directly to your MP's office or through many of the advocacy organizations that are doing this important work.
With that being said, onto today's topic!
Financial Support from the Province of BC
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
One-time payment to BC residents who have lost income due to COVID-19
$1,000 tax-free payment to those who are eligible for either EI or the CERB
Estimated to be available to apply for by May
Very little details have been released at this time. Follow the link above and 'subscribe' to be notified when updates occur
Enhancement to the Climate Action Tax Credit
For individuals & families normally eligible for the BC Climate Action Tax Credit (BC CATC) there will be a one-time boost to the payment
This tax credit is paid out along with your Federal GST Credit, and will therefore not show as a separate payment.
Adults will receive up to $218 (increased from $43.50)
Children will receive up to $64 (increased from $12.75)
In order to verify with the government that you are eligible for tax credits (including Canada Child Benefit, GST Credit, and BC CATC), you must have your personal income tax returns up-to-date.
Freeze on BC Student Loans payments
Starting March 30th payments toward BC Student Loans (along with Canada Student Loans) are automatically stopped for 6 months
No interest will accumulate during this time
No action is required - stop payments should happen automatically
Corporate Support
BC Hydro
Service disconnections for non-payment of bills has been halted
Electricity rates have been reduced by 1%
COVID-19 Relief Fund: Applies a 3-month credit to residential BC Hydro accounts for those experiencing financial hardship. This is not a loan or a deferral, but a permanent credit applied to your account. Applications expected to open week of April 13 and reaming open until June 30, 2020.
COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program: Offers bill deferral and payment plans for customers experiencing financial hardship. No penalties will be incurred under this plan. Call 1-800-BCHYDRO (224-9376) for details.
Customer Crisis Fund: Existing grant program from BC Hydro for customers facing disconnection due to inability to make payments. Maximum grant available is $600.
Defer monthly payments for up to 90 days without penalty
Call 1-800-665-6442 or apply online
BC Housing Initiatives
Freeze on Rent Increases
As of April 1st, 2020 rent increases are not permitted under the BC State of Emergency.
If a rent increase was previously scheduled for April 1st, it is no longer valid
Tenants should continue to pay pre-increase rent amounts. Ask for post-dated cheques to be returned, if they already included the increased rent amount. Ask for direct deposit amounts to be updated to the pre-increase amount (March 2020 rate)
Halt on evictions
During a state of emergency, landlords cannot evict tenants or give notice to end tenancy for:
Unpaid rent or utilities
Landlord use of property
End of employment as a caretaker
End of employment if the use of rental unit was a condition of employment
Demolition, renovation, and conversion of a rental unit
Failure to qualify for a rental unit in subsidized housing
NOTE: A tenant who has not paid rent could face eviction for that reason once the provincial state of emergency has been lifted
BC Temporary Rental Supplement (BC-TRS)
*Applications are now open online
To speak to someone about the program:
Lower Mainland: 778-452-2836
Toll-Free: 1-877-757-2577
A payment between $300 - $500 per month paid directly to landlords to assist households by reducing their rent
Available for April, May, & June
In order to receive assistance for all 3 months, you must apply in April. If you apply in May, you can only receive the supplement for 2 months (May & June).
Eligibility
2019 gross household income of less than:
$74,150 for singles & couples without dependents
$113,040 for households with dependents
As a result of COVID-19:
Be receiving or eligible for EI or CERB from the federal government
OR Have experienced a drop of 25% or more in monthly household income
Be paying more than 30% of current household income towards rent
This is a very detailed application process and must be completed in full in one session. You cannot save your progress and return to a partially completed application at a later time. Make sure your application is complete before submitting.
There are two components to the application. First, the tenant must begin the application. BC Housing will then send the application over to the landlord for completion.
Landlords will be asked to confirm details around tenancy, rental address and monthly rent amount.
They will need to provide their mailing address and banking information to receive payment by direct deposit.
Once the landlord has completed their portion of the application, both the tenant and landlord will receive a final confirmation email. The components of the tenant's portion of the application are outlined below:
Identification for all family members aged 19 or older living in the same household. (Roommates who are not family apply separately)
One of the following: Birth Certificate, BC Driver's License, BCID, BC Services Card, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residence document, Passport
Other documents will be considered as long as they prove who you are & where you live.
Proof of 2019 Income
One of the following for each family member aged 19 or older: 2019 CRA Notice of Assessment, 2019 T-slips from all sources, other proof of 2019 income
Other documents will be considered. Provide whatever proof you have of 2019 income. You will be contacted if additional documentation is required.
Proof of Income Loss for any household members who have experienced loss of income.
Record of Employment (ROE)
Cppy of application for EI / screenshot of current EI claim from Service Canada online
Copy of application for CERB / screenshot of current CERB claim from CRA / Service Canada online
Letter from employer regarding reduced hours/income and reason
For household members with no change to their income:
Recent pay stub
Letter from employer
Proof of Tenancy & Rent. Submit one or more of the following:
Tenancy Agreement / Notice of Rent Increase for the most recent rental cost
Recent Rent Receipt (within past 3 months)
Bank statement showing recent payment to the landlord (within past 3 months)
Letter from Landlord confirming tenancy and monthly rent
Landlord Name and Contact Information (email address)