Need financial help because of COVID-19?
Check out the resources below.
Run by the Aboriginal Business & Community Development Centre
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Phone: 250-562-6325
Email: admin@abdc.bc.ca
Website: abdc.bc.ca
Phone: 250-564-4000 ext 221
Online contact form: https://www.sapg.ca/about-us/contact-us
Info for new and renewing intakes and food bank hours: https://www.sapg.ca/services/food-bank
Phone: 250-564-7871
Website: http://ssvdppg.com/drop-in-centre.html
Through the BC Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund, residential customers that have lost their jobs and small businesses customers that have had to close due to COVID-19 may be eligible for bill credits (link below).
If you're not eligible for the COVID-19 Relief Fund but are having trouble paying your BC Hydro bills during this time, additional support programs are available.
For more information on applying for the COVID-19 Relief Fund or other support programs visit: https://www.bchydro.com/news/conservation/2020/covid-19-updates.html
Customers on a monthly Autoplan payment plan, who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19, can defer their payment for up to 90 days with no penalty. Customers can use ICBC’s online resource tool to apply for deferrals or call their customer support team at 604-661-2723 or 1-800-665-6442 to discuss your payment options.
Source: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/contact-us/Pages/covid-19.aspx
Info and application:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
B.C. residents who receive federal Employment Insurance, or the new federal Emergency Care Benefit, or the new federal Emergency Support Benefit are eligible for a one-time $1,000 payment to people who lost income because of COVID-19.
Info and application:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports/emergency-benefit-workers
Eligible recipients will receive $300 more per child with their regular May CCB payment.
If you have previously applied for the CCB, you do not need to re-apply.
The Government of Canada has announced its plan to pause the repayment of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans until September 30, 2020, with no accrual of interest.
Info: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
To help people with B.C. student loans, the Province is freezing B.C. student loan payments for six months, starting March 30, 2020.
We are providing a one-time special payment by early May through the Goods and Services Tax credit for low- and modest-income families.
The average additional benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.
There is no need to apply for this payment. If you are eligible, you will get it automatically.