COVID-19 Information for Residents
CONTENTSNRRM Covid-19 Updates2020 May 27: Property Tax Notices 2020 April 10: From the Mayor's Desk (video) 2020 March 31: From the Mayor's Desk 2020 March 28: Fly-in Fly-out Workers
BC's Restart PlanMedical professionals speculate it could be 12 to 18 months before a vaccine is developed. Until then, the challenge for all British Columbians will be modifying our behaviour and protective measures cautiously to allow for greater interactions without putting the health of our loved ones, friends and neighbours at risk. B.C.’s restart will be a careful, step-by-step process to ensure all of our combined efforts and sacrifices are not squandered. BC's Restart Plan
General Resources
Please refer to official sources regarding the coronavirus, as misinformation has been circulating on social media.
Assistance ProgramsGrocery Delivery for Seniors & Vulnerable Persons Several local organizations have partnered with Fort Nelson IGA to provide weekly grocery delivery to seniors and at-risk residents, so that they can safely maintain isolation. Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is available to wage earners, contract workers and self-employed people in Canada who don't qualify for employment insurance (EI). It is also available to those who are still working, but are now earning less than $1,000 per month. The application process for the CERB opened in early April, with individual income support payments amounting to about $2,000 a month. The benefits will be available for four months, for a maximum total of $8,000. BC Emergency Benefit for Workers (BCEBW) The benefit is a one-time, tax free payment of $1,000 to those "whose work has been affected by COVID-19." A statement from the province said most people who are eligible for the CERB will be eligible for the BC grant as well. Applicants must also have filed, or have agreed to file, a 2019 BC tax return and cannot be receiving provincial income assistance or disability assistance. A one-time enhancement to the climate action tax credit will be paid in July 2020 for moderate to low-income families:
Employment Insurance Finance Minister Carole James has announced a $1,000 Emergency Benefit for Workers, which will be a one-time payment available to people who have been laid off, those who are sick or quarantined and those who've had to stay home to care for their children or sick family members. The federal government waived the one-week waiting period for employment insurance for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate. The previous requirement of a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits is also waived.
A new emergency care benefit of up to $900 every two weeks, for up to 15 weeks, will provide income support to workers, including the self-employed, who have to stay home and don't qualify for paid sick leave or employment insurance. Support for Income & Disability AssistanceIf you are not receiving federal Employment Insurance (EI) or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and are on:
Renters, Homeowners and People Experiencing Homelessness Renters who have experienced loss of income can now apply for a new temporary rental supplement for the months of April, May and June. Households with no dependents are eligible for a rent rebate of $300 per month while households with dependents can claim $500 per month. For units with roommates, each tenant will be able to apply for the supplement. BC Housing has temporarily suspended evictions of tenants in subsidized and affordable housing due to non-payment of rent
Aid for Post-Secondary Students The federal government's Canada Emergency Student Benefit will pay $1,250 monthly to Canadian and permanent resident post-secondary students and graduates to make up for lost work and cut hours. This benefit is to be available from May to August 2020 The amount can increase to $1,750 for students with disabilities or who care for others. Students who volunteer on COVID-19 response efforts will be rewarded through bursaries of up to $5,000 toward their education in the fall. Starting March 30, 2020, B.C. student loan payments are automatically frozen for six months. Frontline Health and Social Service Workers More than 250,000 eligible frontline workers will receive temporary pandemic pay, a lump-sum payment of about $4 per hour for a 16-week period, starting on March 15, 2020. Eligible workers will receive the payment directly through their employer and do not need to apply.
Children & Youth with Special Needs Families who were deemed eligible to receive MCFD Children and Youth with Special Needs (CYSN) Family Support Services prior to June 15, 2020, can request the Emergency Relief Support Funding. These families may request a direct payment of $225 per month, for up to three months, ending on Sept. 30.
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Contains Federal programs to support individuals and businesses
Monthly Bills
BC Hydro 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376): If you meet the eligibility criteria for both, you can apply for both the Customer Crisis Fund and the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Fortis BC 1-888-224-2710:
ICBC: ICBC has implemented some changes to help customers manage the financial impacts of COVID-19.
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality 250.774.2541 No late payment fees will be applied to water & sewer utility and accounts receivable billings.
Every Northwestel residential Internet customer in Northern Canada will receive temporary relief on their Internet usage until the end of May. For residential Cable Internet customers, this means overage fees will be waived during this period. Internet usage relief is valid until June 30, 2020. No action is required. Visit nwtel.ca/COVID to learn more. |
