What benefits are available to help during COVID-19?
The Canada Recovery Benefits and Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, give people help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are other ways to get during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the chart below to see what’s available and if you qualify.
The federal government offers the following help:
| Benefit | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Child tax benefit (CCB) | One-time extra payment of $300 per child. | If you’re already receiving the CCB, you don’t have to apply. You should receive the extra $300 with your regular CCB payment on May 20. |
| Mortgage deferral payment | Homeowners facing financial hardship might be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral of up to 6 months. | Contact your lender, bank, or other mortgage professional to find out if you’re eligible for a mortgage payment deferral and other options you might have. For many, the mortgage deferral option ends on September 30, 2020. |
| GST payment | One-time payment of about $400 for single individuals and about $600 for couples. | If you filed a 2018 tax return, you should receive the extra payment automatically. Payments were issued on April 9, 2020. |
| Disability tax credit (DTC) | One-time-tax-free payment of:
|
If you have a valid DTC certificate as of June 1, 2020, you should receive the extra payment automatically. If you don’t have a valid DTC certificate, you must apply for one before September 25. Payments will start to be made on October 30. |
| Old Age Security (OAS) | One-time tax-free payment of $300. | You don’t have to apply. You should receive this payment during the week of July 6. |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) | One-time tax-free payment of $200. | You don’t have to apply. You should receive this payment during the week of July 6. |
| Income tax returns | Deadline to file taxes was extended to June 1, 2020. | Any payments due are deferred to August 31, 2020 with no interest or penalties. |
For more information about these federal benefits, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html. If you have any questions, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
The Ontario government offers the following help:
| Benefit | Description | Start and End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Support for Families | One-time payment of $200 per child under 12 or $250 for children and youth 0-21 with special needs. | Ends August 31, 2020 |
Fill out one application per child. But, if you already applied for the Support for Parents strike benefit, you should receive the payment automatically. |
| Ontario Support for Learners |
One-time payment of: – $200 per child from newborn to end of high school – $250 per child with special needs from age 0 to 21 |
Ends February 8, 2021 |
Fill out one application per child. |
| Electricity rates |
Residential customers were charged the lowest rate of 10.1¢/kWh, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Starts March 24, 2020 and ends May 31, 2020 |
This rate has automatically been applied to your bill. |
| Electricity rates |
There was a new COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8¢/kWh for time-of-use (TOU) customers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
Starts June 1, 2020 and ends October 31, 2020 |
This rate has automatically been applied to your bill. |
| Electricity rates |
The winter time-of-use (TOU) hours and the winter Tier threshold rates announced. |
Starts November 1, 2020 |
This rate has automatically been applied to your bill. |
| Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) | Monthly credit available to people with a low to reduce the electricity bill. | Ongoing |
The credit amount depends on how many people live in your home and your combined household income. |
|
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) |
One-time grant of up to $500 for arrears on electricity or gas bills if you’re behind on your bill and may face having your service shut off. | Contact your provider for more information or visit: https://www.oeb.ca | |
| COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) | One time credit to residential electricity and natural gas customers to help catch up on energy bills. | Starts July 13, 2020. Revised eligibility requirements for applications starting October 16, 2020. | Apply directly to your electricity distributor, gas distributor, or and unit sub-meter provider (USMP). For more information, visit: https://www.oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill |
| Payments doubled for six months. Up to $166 per month for individuals and up to $332 per month for couples. | Starts April 2020 and ends September 2020 | If you’re receiving GAINS, you will receive this extra support automatically for 6 months. The first payment was on April 24, 2020. | |
| OHIP | The 3-month waiting period for OHIP coverage is being waived. If you don’t meet the criteria for OHIP coverage and you’re uninsured, the province pay for COVID-19 services. | Starts March 19, 2020 | |
| Ontario Drug Benefit Program | If your household has drug coverage through the Trillium Drug Program (TDP), you can apply to have your deductible reduced if your household’s income has decreased by 10% or more since 2018. | Starts May 1, 2020 and ends July 31, 2020 | Get the Trillium Drug Program reassessment form. |
| Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
|
You don’t need to make any loan payments, and interest will not be added to your student loans. | Starts March 30, 2020 and ends September 30, 2020 |
For more information about these provincial benefits, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-support-people. If you have any questions, call Service Ontario at 1-866-532-3161.
