COVID-19: Overview of Available Programs
April 20th 2020: Update For Tenants and Landlords
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
As a Tenant or Landlord, it is very important that you know and understand the resources available to you during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: If you are a Tenant in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please know that the team at Advent will do everything we can to work with you to structure a payment plan to help you pay your rent. Our focus is on assisting our Tenants in ways that best support their individual circumstances!
Note: If you are a Landlord in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources on this page can help guide you through these challenging times.
Posted April 1st 2020, updated August 31st 2020, subject to change at any time.
BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program
EI Benefits
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Canadian Child Benefit
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
Income and Disability Assistance Increase
Enhanced BC Climate Action Tax Credit
Increased GST Rebates
Canada Emergency Business Account
ICBC Deferrals
BC Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund
Fortis BC Customer Recovery Fund
Questions About Financial Support
List of COVID-19 Essential Services
Contact Advent
BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program (BC-TRS)
This program ended on August 31, 2020.
BC Rent Supplement of up to $500 monthly, administered by BC Housing.
This is up and running now. If you need to apply for this, please start your application right away.
The program gives $300 per month for eligible households with no dependents, and $500 per month for eligible households with dependents. The program is available through April, May, June, July and August 2020.
What happens if you have already paid April rent? You can still receive the April payment and should apply in April.
Read the program overview here https://bchousing.org/BCTRS
Apply here https://bctrs.bchousing.org
If you want to speak to someone about the BC-TRS program call:
- Lower Mainland: (778) 452-2836
- Toll Free: 1 (877) 757-2577
EI Benefits
EI Benefits will pay out $573/week (regular and illness)
- Regular benefits https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit
- Sickness benefits https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
This is if you do not qualify for EI. Canada Emergency Response Benefit is replacing the Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit. CERB will provide $2,000 (taxable) per month to those that would have qualified for the Emergency Care Benefit for up to 7 months and is retro-active March 15th.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application
- This program is ready to apply for NOW
- those that can apply:
- anyone affected by COVID-19
- Self-employed
- Contract employees
- Employed but unable to work due to taking care of sick family member with COVID-19
- Employed but unable to work to take care of children due to closures of schools & daycare
- Employees faced with reduced hours
- Loss of income due to COVID-19
- Job loss due to COVID-19
- DO THIS NOW
- If you can apply online (computer or mobile phone) make sure you have a MyAccount with the Canada Revenue Agency: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals
- The easiest way to do this is to scroll down to the green button (sign-in partner login/registration)
- Use your bank account login information to get registered (there are 2 other options but this is the easiest)
- If you don’t have access to the internet you can phone in
- GET READY TO APPLY - based on the month you were born
- January, February, March: Mondays > April 13 2020
- April, May, June: Tuesdays > April 14 2020
- July, August, September: Wednesdays > April 15 2020
- October, November, December: Thursdays > April 16 2020
- Any month: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Canadian Child Benefit (CCB)
The average family will receive an overall additional $550.
- $300/per child with May payment
- A boost to further CCB payments https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals
- These payments should be automatic if you are currently receiving CCB. To apply if you are not currently receiving them go to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview/canada-child-benefit-apply
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers, (Very important); residents of BC that qualify for regular and sickness EI and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit can also apply for a one-time, tax-free, $1,000.
- The application portal is not currently open but further information can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports/emergency-benefit-workers
Income and Disability Assistance Increase
British Columbians not receiving federal Employment Insurance (EI) or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and are on:
- Income Assistance
- Disability Assistance
- Comforts Allowance
- BC Senior's Supplement
Will automatically receive a $300 supplement on their cheques issued in April, May, and June 2020.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance/on-assistance/covid
Enhanced BC Climate Action Tax Credit
Residents of BC will also receive a one-time enhanced BC Climate Action Tax Credit which starts in July 2020.
- Those who are receiving the GST rebate will also qualify for this tax credit and it will be paid on the same schedule as the GST rebate.
- For further information on what the BC Climate Action Tax Credit is, please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/climate-action
Increased GST Rebates
Individuals will see an increase in their quarterly GST payment of about $400; couples will see an average of $600. There will also be an additional GST payment in May 2020.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals
- These payments should be automatic if you are currently receiving GST rebates. The CRA encourages everyone to submit their 2019 taxes ASAP to make sure their calculations are accurate.
- To apply if you are not currently receiving them go to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gsthstc-apply
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada has launched the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which has been implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).
This $25 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.
This will better position them to quickly return to providing services to their communities and creating employment.
Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).
How can you apply for the CEBA?
Small businesses and not-for-profits should contact your financial institution to apply for these loans.
Learn more: https://ceba-cuec.ca
ICBC Deferrals
If you are on a monthly Autoplan payment plan, and are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19, you can defer your payment for up to 90 days with no penalty. https://www.icbc.com/insurance/buy-renew-cancel/Insurance-payment-plan
BC Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund
If you or your spouse/partner have stopped working due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for three months of bill credit based on your average consumption. The application form for residential customers is now open. Eligible customers can apply any time until June 30, 2020 to receive the credit. https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/ways-to-pay/covid-19-relief-fund
Fortis BC COVID-19 Customer Recovery Fund
Fortis BC has introduced a Customer Recovery Fund to help minimize the monthly billing impacts to those natural gas, propane and electric residential and small business customers who need it most. https://www.fortisbc.com/about-us/supporting-british-columbia-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/covid-19-customer-recovery-fund
Questions About Financial Support
Who can I call to ask a question about financial support right now?
Government of BC
- Call: 1 (888) 268-4319
- Text: 1 (604) 630-0300
- You might also contact the constituency office of your MLA. You can look up your MLA here https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members
- Call 211 for information about support in your community
Anywhere in Canada
Canada Revenue Agency
- 1 (800) 959-8281 help with MyAccount
- 1 (800) 387-1193 help with benefits
- 1 (866) 426-1527 help with benefits for callers in the North
You can also call the constituency office of your Member of Parliament. They can often help answer questions and get information to you. You can look up your local MP (using your postal code) here https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search
List of COVID-19 Essential Services
From the official website of the Government of British Columbia: Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians come to rely on in their daily lives. Learn more here https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/essential-services
Contact Advent, We Are Here to Help!
For more questions/answers surrounding COVID-19, please contact the appropriate staff member below.
Contact Your Property Manager:
For questions regarding management.
- Cheryl Ellingson email
- Donald Lee email
- Jaime Bergman email
- Jason Wong email
- Joy Kaminsky email
- Linda Danielsen email
Contact Customer Care:
For questions regarding repairs.
- Joel Kaminsky email
Contact Accounting:
For questions regarding financials.
- Shannon Downling email
Contact Operations Manager:
For questions regarding the day-to-day operations of our company during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Andrea Farina email
Contact Our President & Managing Broker:
For all other questions regarding COVID-19.
- Michelle Farina email
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
As a Tenant or Landlord, it is very important that you know and understand the resources available to you during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: If you are a Tenant in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please know that the team at Advent will do everything we can to work with you to structure a payment plan to help you pay your rent. Our focus is on assisting our Tenants in ways that best support their individual circumstances!
Note: If you are a Landlord in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources on this page can help guide you through these challenging times.
Posted April 1st 2020, updated August 31st 2020, subject to change at any time.
BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program
EI Benefits
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Canadian Child Benefit
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
Income and Disability Assistance Increase
Enhanced BC Climate Action Tax Credit
Increased GST Rebates
Canada Emergency Business Account
ICBC Deferrals
BC Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund
Fortis BC COVID-19 Customer Recovery Fund
Questions About Financial Support
List of COVID-19 Essential Services
Contact Advent
BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program (BC-TRS)
This program ended on August 31, 2020.
BC Rent Supplement of up to $500 monthly, administered by BC Housing.
This is up and running now. If you need to apply for this, please start your application right away.
The program gives $300 per month for eligible households with no dependents, and $500 per month for eligible households with dependents. The program is available through April, May, June, July and August 2020.
What happens if you have already paid April rent? You can still receive the April payment and should apply in April.
Read the program overview here https://bchousing.org/BCTRS
Apply here https://bctrs.bchousing.org
If you want to speak to someone about the BC-TRS program call:
- Lower Mainland: (778) 452-2836
- Toll Free: 1 (877) 757-2577
EI Benefits
EI Benefits will pay out $573/week (regular and illness)
- Regular benefits https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit
- Sickness benefits https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
This is if you do not qualify for EI. Canada Emergency Response Benefit is replacing the Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit. CERB will provide $2,000 (taxable) per month to those that would have qualified for the Emergency Care Benefit for up to 7 months and is retro-active March 15th.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application
- This program is ready to apply for NOW
- those that can apply:
- anyone affected by COVID-19
- Self-employed
- Contract employees
- Employed but unable to work due to taking care of sick family member with COVID-19
- Employed but unable to work to take care of children due to closures of schools & daycare
- Employees faced with reduced hours
- Loss of income due to COVID-19
- Job loss due to COVID-19
- DO THIS NOW
- If you can apply online (computer or mobile phone) make sure you have a MyAccount with the Canada Revenue Agency: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals
- The easiest way to do this is to scroll down to the green button (sign-in partner login/registration)
- Use your bank account login information to get registered (there are 2 other options but this is the easiest)
- If you don’t have access to the internet you can phone in
- GET READY TO APPLY - based on the month you were born
- January, February, March: Mondays > April 13 2020
- April, May, June: Tuesdays > April 14 2020
- July, August, September: Wednesdays > April 15 2020
- October, November, December: Thursdays > April 16 2020
- Any month: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Canadian Child Benefit (CCB)
The average family will receive an overall additional $550.
- $300/per child with May payment
- A boost to further CCB payments https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals
- These payments should be automatic if you are currently receiving CCB. To apply if you are not currently receiving them go to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview/canada-child-benefit-apply
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
BC Emergency Benefit for Workers, (Very important); residents of BC that qualify for regular and sickness EI and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit can also apply for a one-time, tax-free, $1,000.
- The application portal is not currently open but further information can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/covid-19-financial-supports/emergency-benefit-workers
Income and Disability Assistance Increase
British Columbians not receiving federal Employment Insurance (EI) or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and are on:
- Income Assistance
- Disability Assistance
- Comforts Allowance
- BC Senior's Supplement
Will automatically receive a $300 supplement on their cheques issued in April, May, and June 2020.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance/on-assistance/covid
Enhanced BC Climate Action Tax Credit
Residents of BC will also receive a one-time enhanced BC Climate Action Tax Credit which starts in July 2020.
- Those who are receiving the GST rebate will also qualify for this tax credit and it will be paid on the same schedule as the GST rebate.
- For further information on what the BC Climate Action Tax Credit is, please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/income-taxes/personal/credits/climate-action
Increased GST Rebates
Individuals will see an increase in their quarterly GST payment of about $400; couples will see an average of $600. There will also be an additional GST payment in May 2020.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals
- These payments should be automatic if you are currently receiving GST rebates. The CRA encourages everyone to submit their 2019 taxes ASAP to make sure their calculations are accurate.
- To apply if you are not currently receiving them go to https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gsthstc-apply
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada has launched the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which has been implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).
This $25 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.
This will better position them to quickly return to providing services to their communities and creating employment.
Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).
How can you apply for the CEBA?
Small businesses and not-for-profits should contact your financial institution to apply for these loans.
Learn more: https://ceba-cuec.ca
ICBC Deferrals
If you are on a monthly Autoplan payment plan, and are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19, you can defer your payment for up to 90 days with no penalty. https://www.icbc.com/insurance/buy-renew-cancel/Insurance-payment-plan
BC Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund
If you or your spouse/partner have stopped working due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for three months of bill credit based on your average consumption. The application form for residential customers is now open. Eligible customers can apply any time until June 30, 2020 to receive the credit. https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/ways-to-pay/covid-19-relief-fund
Fortis BC COVID-19 Customer Recovery Fund
Fortis BC has introduced a Customer Recovery Fund to help minimize the monthly billing impacts to those natural gas, propane and electric residential and small business customers who need it most. https://www.fortisbc.com/about-us/supporting-british-columbia-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/covid-19-customer-recovery-fund
Questions About Financial Support
Who can I call to ask a question about financial support right now?
Government of BC
- Call: 1 (888) 268-4319
- Text: 1 (604) 630-0300
- You might also contact the constituency office of your MLA. You can look up your MLA here https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members
- Call 211 for information about support in your community
Anywhere in Canada
Canada Revenue Agency
- 1 (800) 959-8281 help with MyAccount
- 1 (800) 387-1193 help with benefits
- 1 (866) 426-1527 help with benefits for callers in the North
You can also call the constituency office of your Member of Parliament. They can often help answer questions and get information to you. You can look up your local MP (using your postal code) here https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search
List of COVID-19 Essential Services
From the official website of the Government of British Columbia: Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians come to rely on in their daily lives. Learn more here https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/essential-services
Contact Advent, We Are Here To Help!
For more questions/answers surrounding COVID-19, please contact the appropriate staff member below.
Contact Your Property Manager:
For questions regarding management.
- Cheryl Ellingson email
- Donald Lee email
- Jaime Bergman email
- Jason Wong email
- Joy Kaminsky email
- Linda Danielsen email
Contact Customer Care:
For questions regarding repairs.
- Joel Kaminsky email
Contact Accounting:
For questions regarding financials.
- Shannon Downling email
Contact Operations Manager:
For questions regarding the day-to-day operations of our company during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Andrea Farina email
Contact Our President & Managing Broker:
For all other questions regarding COVID-19.
- Michelle Farina email