Toronto: The Ontario government is offering direct financial support to parents while Ontario schools and child care centres remain closed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The new Support for Families initiative offers a one-time payment of $200 per child of 0-to-12 years of age, and $250 for those 0-to-21 years of age with special needs, said a government announcement.
The announcement was made yesterday by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.
“During this extraordinary time, we’re doing everything we can to support parents to keep everyone safe and ensure our children continue to learn and stay mentally active,” said Premier Ford. “This one-time funding will allow parents to access additional tools for our kids to use while at home and studying remotely. I want to remind everyone to stay at home and only go out if absolutely necessary. It’s the only way we are going to defeat this terrible virus.”
Online application
Families can complete a simple online application at Ontario’s Support for Families web page to access this financial support. Parents already receiving Support for Parents payments through direct deposit will be automatically eligible for this financial support and do not need to submit a new application.
Through this initiative the government is providing over $300 million in relief to parents across Ontario as part of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to Covid-19.
You can now apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Canadians can now apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) at Canada.ca/coronavirus.
Those who have lost their income due to Covid-19 can expect their payment in 3 to 5 business days from when they apply if they are using direct deposit. That means most Canadians who are eligible will receive $2,000 before the end of next week.
Canadians looking to get more information about the CERB or, who are unable to apply online, can call the toll-free telephone line at 1-833-966-2099.
To help manage the volume of applications through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Service Canada, applicants will be asked to apply over four days depending on their month of birth. In addition, Shared Services Canada has also increased the bandwidth capacity of the network infrastructure supporting the CRA, including the My Account secure online portal.
Canadians who have already applied for EI do not need to reapply. To date, over 1.2 million of the EI applications received since March 15, have been processed through the new CERB.
“The Government of Canada is fully committed to ensuring Canadian families have the support they need through these difficult times. Our priority is to ensure that Canadians receive the money they need as quickly as possible,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
Quick Facts
- The CERB is available from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020. Eligible workers can apply no later than December 2, 2020.
- Direct deposit payments will be delivered into accounts within 3 business days of applicants being eligible to receive it, and cheques within 10 days. To ensure timely delivery of their payments and avoid any potential payment disruptions, Canadians should sign up for direct deposit.
- The CERB will support Canadians who have stopped working because of COVID-19 by providing $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Some examples of support to workers provided by the CERB include:
- workers, including those who are self-employed, who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support;
- workers who have lost their employment, as well as workers who are sick, quarantined or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19;
- working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures; and
- workers who are still employed, but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
Associated links
CLICK FOR MORE NEWS ABOUT COVID-19
ALSO READ:
https://durhampost.ca/lecce-receives-575000-applications-for-pay-outs