News

Information for our Neighbours in Need during the COVID-19 Pandemic – as of May 20, 2021

1. Local Notes

Brant Food for Thought

School-aged children have been missing out on the breakfast and snack offered at school. Brant Food for Thought now distributing Nutritious Food Boxes through the Food Bank, the Salvation Army (city and Paris locations), Brant Community Church, the 3 large rent-geared-to-income sites and the Burford Food Bank. Their webpage gives info re: times and procedures.

https://brantfoodforthought.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BFFT-Emergency-Food-Access_MAY-2021.pdf

Brantford Food Bank

The Brantford Food Bank is now OPEN on Mondays. More information about the Brantford Food Bank services is available at https://crs-help.ca/foodbank/

2. Federal Government Benefits

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

People who were receiving CRB, may be eligible for one of the new recovery benefits (the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Recovery Sickness Benefit or the Caregiving Benefit). They are retroactive to September 27, 2020 and available until September 25, 2021.

The Canada Recovery Benefit is taxable and has tax deducted at source.  It provides eligible workers with $500 per week for up to 38 weeks. It is for those who are not employed or self-employed due to COVID-19 and who are not eligible for EI, or had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. This benefit is paid in two-week periods and recipients must reapply every two weeks.

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) – Canada.ca

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) is for employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19. Individuals who have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19 are also eligible.  Recipients receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.  If the health situation continues past 1 week, it is necessary to reapply for up to a total of 4 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) – Canada.ca

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit is a taxable payment of $500 per week ($450 after taxes are withheld), for up to 38 weeks per household. This benefit is for individuals and families impacted by the closure of schools and other programs.  This benefit is available between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) – Canada.ca

Temporary Changes to Employment Insurance

Temporary changes have been made to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to help you access EI benefits. Follow the link below to see if the changes apply to you.

Employment Insurance – COVID-19 – Canada.ca

GST Credit Increase

Those eligible for the GST credit will receive a one-time special payment of about $400 for singles and $600 for couples on April 9. More information available at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/covid-19-benefits-credits-support-payments/gst-hst.html

The extra payment amount will be received automatically for those who normally receive the GST/HST credit and have filed a 2018 tax return. Payments will be issued on April 9, 2020.

Canada Child Benefit Increase

The maximum annual CCB payment amount will increase for the 2019-20 benefit year by $300 per child as part of the May payment. The average increase for families will be approximately $550.

The income tax filing deadline for individuals is now June 1.  Individuals that owe taxes can defer payments until September. The Canada Revenue Agency has also halted debt collection.

Those who expect to receive the GST credit and/or Canada Child Benefit (CCB) should file their 2019 returns as soon as possible to ensure their entitlements for the 2020-21 benefit year are properly determined.

3. Provincial Government Benefits

Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit

The benefit provides financial support to families with young learners to help with additional costs during the pandemic. Payments will be issued starting on April 26: $400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12 or $500 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs. 

If families have already received payments through the Support for Learners program in 2020, they do not need to apply for this additional payment. If they missed applying they must do so now.  Applications will be open from May 3, 2021 to May 17, 2021.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-ontario-covid-19-child-benefit

Tenant evictions are currently on hold in Ontario.

Stay-At-Home Order


As directed by the provincial announcement on April 7, 2021, SSVP Brant Thrift Store, 143 Wellington St., Brantford, is closed effective immediately. This applies to all facets of our operation – shopping, accepting donations, pick up and delivery etc.

The only exceptions will be emergency food assistance to those who reach out to us provided by our conference members – as that is allowed under the provision “providing service to the vulnerable”.

To those we serve in Brantford/Brant: if you require emergency food assistance during this period, call the phone number for our branch (conference) that covers your area – to hear how they are adapting their service for you …

– Blessed Sacrament (Burford, Scotland, West Brantford) 519-865-1562
– Sacred Heart (Paris & St. George) 519-442-2465
– St. Basil (Central Brantford) 519-752-0243
– St. Mary (East & South Brantford) 226-208-6846
– St. Pius X (North Brantford) 519-753-9052

Stay Safe!

Update: Bed for Every Child Program

In 2014, SSVP Brant established this program to assist those in need in Brantford and Brant County by providing new beds to children who were doing without. To date (early 2021), we have distributed more than 700 beds through the program!!

For details of the operation see this earlier post  A Bed for Every Child – Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (ssvpbrant.ca).

Now we have great news for the future of the program! Thanks to a grant from Brant United Way we will be able to maintain the program through 2021. Yes, we are on the list at the bottom of this article Music program for deafblind gets Brant United Way boost | Brantford Expositor.

The usual fundraising activities in support of the program are primarily through BHNCDSB schools, especially Assumption College. The pandemic has severely restricted such activities. A few schools are persevering but the United Way funding is very welcome. We look forward to working with the schools and other local supporters of the Bed for Every Child program in 2022.

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Brant Thrift Store Re-opening Tuesday March 2, 2021

Pat Lenz, President of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Particular Council of Brant is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Thrift Store at 143 Wellington and Clarence Streets in Brantford. “The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted our ability to serve our neighbours in need at our Thrift Store over the past several months. We are very happy to re-open the Thrift Store on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.” said Mrs. Lenz. The store will be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am until 2:30pm for shopping. Donations will only be accepted on Wednesday from 9:00 am until noon. Furniture by appointment. Call the store at 519-751-0143. Learn more at www.ssvpbrant.ca or the SSVP Brant Facebook page. Email: ssvpbrant@gmail.com.

COVID-19 pandemic protocols continue to be in place for the safety and comfort of customers, donors and all of the staff volunteers. Face masks must be worn by all shoppers and volunteers. A reduced number of shoppers will be allowed in the store at any given time. Social distancing will be in place and sanitizer will be available.

The SSVP Thrift Store re-opening and day to day operations will take place under the direction of newly-appointed Store Manager, Kristine Paul. “I would like to welcome our shoppers back to our Thrift Store and assure them that our updated COVID-19 protocols will be enforced and are in place to keep everyone comfortable and safe.” stated Mrs. Paul.

Kristine Paul is happy to see some familiar faces, “We are looking forward to seeing our loyal Thrift Store shoppers again and to serving our neighbours in need when our store re-opens.” SSVP Thrift Store volunteers provide furniture, household items, clothing, and free food to our neighbours in need. To those we serve, if you require emergency items like those listed call the Thrift Store at 519-751-0143 and you will be referred to the SSVP branch in your area. SSVP Brant assisted over 1,900 adults and 1,200 children in 2019. More than $83,000 in grocery gift cards were distributed and 125 children received a new, free bed.

Thanks to each of our dedicated volunteers and regular customers for your ongoing service, commitment and loyalty.

Contact: Mrs. Pat Lenz, President, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Particular Council of Brant or Kristine Paul, Store Manager at ssvpbrant@gmail.com or 519-751-0143.

Update: December 28, 2020 – SSVP Brant Response to COVID-19 Crisis

As part of the current lockdown directed by the Government of Ontario, SSVP Brant Thrift Store will be extend its holiday closure indefinitely. When the lockdown is lifted by the province we will evaluate our operation, always with the goal of keeping all staff and customers safe and comfortable. At that time we will develop our re-opening plan. Stay tuned to this website and to our social media platforms for details.

To those we serve in Brantford/Brant: if you require emergency service during this period, call the phone number for our branch (conference) that covers your area – to hear how they are adapting their service for you …

that is,

  • Blessed Sacrament- Burford, Scotland, West Brantford 519-865-1562
  • Sacred Heart – Paris & St. George 519-442-2465
  • St. Basil – central Brantford 519-752-0243
  • St. Mary – east & south Brantford 226-208-6846
  • St. Pius X – north Brantford 519-753-9052

If you are unsure which conference serves you, call the Thrift Store at 519-751-0143 (Its voice messages will be monitored.) or email ssvpbrant@gmail.com and you will be re-directed.

To our generous donors: we thank you for your patience and understanding at this time and will again gladly accept your gently-used clothing, household items and furniture when we re-open.

To our loyal shoppers: when you return to our Store after this situation is resolved we will still have the “best prices in town”. Your shopping dollars support our service to those in need in Brantford/Brant.

Finally, to our dedicated volunteers, at the Thrift Store and the conferences: Thank you to those who are finding alternative ways to serve those in need while keeping yourselves safe and healthy. Thanks to each of you for your ongoing service and commitment. Take care of yourselves. We’ll keep in touch.