Updated Financial Support Info for Tenants – June 25
Governments have recently release updates to several of the financial supports available to Albertans. We’ve collected highlights of these updates as well as links to these and other support programs. We’ve include information on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) extension, a helpful resource on how to make a rent payment plan, as well as updated financial resources that are available to individuals and families who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CERB Benefit Extended
On June 16, the Government of Canada announced an extra 8 weeks of Canada emergency response benefit would be available, extended from 16 weeks to 24 weeks for workers who stopped working due to COVID-19, are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020. [
View the Government of Canada’s CERB Page
Rent Payment Plans info from the Government of Alberta
If a tenant is not able to maintain their monthly rent, a plan must be developed with the landlord to determine how much rent can be afforded each month, and how long it will take to get back to regular payments with no back-rent owing. Rental payment plans should consider the income and expenses of the tenant, the amount of rent owing, and a reasonable, agreed to time period for repayment. Payment plans should be developed together by the landlord and tenant, agreed to in writing and signed by both the landlord and tenant.
Payment plans can be developed in three parts:
- Tenant identifies existing income and expenses. This is for the tenant’s use only.
- Landlord and tenant plan for rent payments.
- Landlord and tenant review plan after tenant returns to work. The payment plan is only required if a tenant is not able to maintain their monthly rent payments. If a tenant is able to maintain the monthly rent payments, but may need to change the payment date, a repayment plan is not needed, but there should be agreement between the landlord and tenant on what the new payment schedule will be and for how long.
Please note, if you are not able to make your regular rent payments or if you already owe from previous periods, it is in your interest to make an arrangement. All rent owed will eventually have to be paid.
View the complete document from the Government of Alberta
Financial Resources
The following list of resources link to government, agency and other sources of information.
Find financial help during COVID-19 – Complete this questionnaire (7 to 10 questions) so show a list of benefits that may help in your situation. It will also have links for more information.
COVID-19: Managing financial health in challenging times – You may be worried about the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on your finances. Whatever the cause, financial emergencies can be stressful and cause considerable hardships for you and your family.
Easy-to-use guide to Canada wide COVID-19 pandemic financial resources – Lists a variety of financial resources and options available to Canadians, using categories and questions as a guide you.
Alberta 211 Resources for COVID-19 – A compilation of resources available Alberta-wide. Select specific areas from the tabs in the spreadsheet.
Food Resources Available in Calgary – an up to date list of food supports available to low income
