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.
