COVID-19 Financial Assistance Information

Posted on by Mike Judd

In response to the unprecedented financial burden citizens are facing in light of the Covid-19 outbreak, the City of Edmonton has provided the public with a list of resources for those in need of financial assistance during this crisis. If you are in need of financial assistance, please consult the list below for information on the resources being made available.

For more information on available food donation and grocery shopping support services please visit here. 

Employment Insurance

Employment Insurance: sickness benefits

Government of Canada: Apply as soon as you can after you stop working

For Canadians without paid sick leave (or similar workplace accommodation) who are sick, quarantined or forced to stay home to care for children, the Government is:

  • Waiving the one-week waiting period for those individuals in imposed quarantine that claim Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. This temporary measure is in effect as of March 15, 2020.
  • Waiving the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits

Alberta Government Emergency Isolation Support

Alberta – Emergency Isolation Support Package

Starting March 23rd, Albertans will be able to apply online for and receive $572 from the emergency isolation support package starting next week which is meant to act as a backstop until federal payments come in April. Eligibility will be based on the Government of Alberta’s criteria for self-isolation, and include those who are the sole caregiver of a dependent who is in self-isolation.

Government of Canada Emergency Care Benefit

Emergency Care Benefit apply through CRA MyAccount portal

Introducing the Emergency Care Benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment Benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to:

  • Workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
  • Workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
  • Parents with children who require care or supervision due to school or daycare closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.

Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. They will need to re-attest every two weeks to reconfirm their eligibility. Canadians will select one of three channels to apply for the Benefit:

  • by accessing it on their CRA MyAccount secure portal;
  • by accessing it from their secure My Service Canada Account; or
  • by calling a toll free number equipped with an automated application process.

Utilities Assistance

Utility – 3 month deferral

Utility payment holiday: Residential customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.

This includes City of Edmonton Waste fees