The federal and provincial governments have both offered financial aid programs that benefit TTOCs, however, the programs can be difficult to navigate.
EI and Income Support Benefits: Information for TTOCs
The Government of Canada implemented new EI and income support programs on September 27, 2020, that run until September 25, 2021, which you may be eligible for. The new income support benefits opened October 12, 2020, and provide compensation retroactive to September 27, 2020. For a full list of eligibility criteria and other questions related to the programs, please consult the source documents.
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Benefit
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Eligibility criteria
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Duration
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Amount
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Source:
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EI regular benefits*
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- you have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks
- did not voluntarily quit your job
- 120 insured hours (equivalent of 13.2 days of teaching)
- if you received the CERB, the 52- week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
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At least 26 weeks up to 45 weeks
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at least $500 per week before taxes up $595 a week
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Source
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EI sickness benefits
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- unable to work for medical reasons
- regular weekly earnings from work have decreased by more than 40% for at least one week
- 120 insured hours
- if you received the CERB, the 52- week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
- the need to get a medical certificate showing that you’re unable to work for medical reasons has been
temporarily waived
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Up to 15 weeks
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at least $500 per week before taxes up $595 a week
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Source
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Canada Recovery Benefit
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- you were not working for reasons related to COVID-19 or you had
a 50% reduction in your average weekly income compared to the previous year due to COVID-19
- not eligible for EI benefits or in receipt of another benefit such as WCB or short-term disability (SIP)
- did not voluntarily quit your job unless it was reasonable to do so
- you are seeking work and have not turned down reasonable work
opportunities during your benefit period
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Up to 38 weeks
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$500 per week before taxes
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Source
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Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
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- unable to work at least 50% of your scheduled work week because you must care for a child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care**
- not eligible for EI benefits or in receipt of another benefit such as
WCB or short-term disability (SIP)
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Up to 38 weeks
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$500 per week before taxes
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Source
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Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit***
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- unable to work at least 50% of your scheduled work week because you're sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts you at greater risk of getting COVID-19
- not eligible for EI benefits or in receipt of another benefit such as
WCB or short-term disability (SIP)
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Up to 4 weeks
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$500 per week before taxes
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Source
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*If you received the CERB through Service Canada: In most cases, you do not need to apply for EI
benefits. After you receive your last CERB payment, continue completing job reports. We’ll automatically review your file and your ROE, then start a claim for EI regular benefits if you qualify. If you don’t qualify, you’ll be notified by mail. If you received the CERB through the Canada Revenue Agency: You can apply after the end of your last CERB eligibility period through Service Canada.
**This applies if their school, regular program, or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they're sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.
***If you have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus after possible exposure in the work environment, please file a claim for compensation with WorkSafeBC (WCB) by calling Teleclaim service: 1-888-WORKERS.