May 12, 2020
Posted in: COVID-19
May 12, 2020
Student and Public Updates
COVID-19 Information
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) toll free line, 1-855-559-5502, is now being offered 24 hours, 7 days a week. The SPSA toll free line was established in order to answer non-health specific questions about the COVID-19 pandemic.
For everyone’s health and safety it is imperative to work together to limit exposure and spread of illness.
COVID-19 Emergency Benefit Programs (summary)
Updated April 28, 2020
Federal
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months.
The CERB is now available if you earned $1,000 (before taxes) or less during an eligibility period. If this applies to your situation, you may be eligible to apply for a previous period, starting March 15, 2020. Click here for more information.
Eligibility
The benefit will be available to workers:
When submitting your first claim, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period of your claim.
When submitting subsequent claims, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire four-week benefit period of your new claim.
The CERB is being jointly delivered by Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.
To begin the application process, you will be asked to answer a few simple questions. The answers you provide will help direct you to the service option that best fits your situation. See the website for more information.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is accessible through CRA My Account or over the phone with an automated phone service. 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041. For more information click here.
Employment Insurance (EI)
For those currently receiving EI benefits and who expect them to continue, you should not apply for CERB. If your EI benefits cease before October 3, 2020, then you can apply for CERB when those benefits run out, if you are unable to work because of COVID-19.
All Canadians who have ceased working due to COVID-19, whether they are EI-eligible or not, would be able to receive the CERB
Those who have applied for EI and their applications have not been processed do not have to reapply.
Those who are eligible for regular EI and sickness benefits can still access those benefits if they’re still unemployed after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.
Employment Insurance and Pension applications can be made online at: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada.html
Support for Students and Recent Graduates
The federal government has put a number of programs and supports in place to help students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. These include enhanced student financial assistance for fall 2020, the Canada Student Service Grant, and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, Find out more here.
Provincial
Saskatchewan residents who have been ordered to self-isolate and are not eligible for the federal supports can apply for the province’s self-isolation support program, which provides recipients with $900 over two weeks. The program will mainly benefit self-employed workers.
Métis Nation
Métis-specific emergency response
*Full program details and instructions available on the MN-S website
On March 31, 2020 the Métis Nation Saskatchewan announced $2.88 million for immediate emergency COVID-19 relief measures for childcare, housing, and PPE. Below is a summary.
MN–S Emergency Housing Support Program
MN–S Childcare Support
MN–S Personal Protective Equipment Program
For further information phone the MN–S toll-free number at 1-833-343-8391.