Work

We have made a table to help you figure out what benefits you may be eligible for. Be sure to check government sites for complete eligibility requirements.

BC is slowly opening up and some people may be returning to their jobs. WorkSafeBC has updated guides to maintain a safe working environment during COVID-19 for both employers and employees. 

The People’s Law School is running a webinar on “Returning to Work During the Pandemic” set to run May 20, 2020 but will be accessible afterwards.

If you are on Income Assistance, Disability Assistance, Comforts Allowance or the BC Senior's Supplement, and not  on the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit or Employment Insurance, you will automatically receive an extra $300 a month for April, May, June and July. You do not need to do anything to receive this money as it will be added to your usual payment. 

If you are on disability assistance, you will also automatically receive an extra $52 transportation supplement beginning in April and continuing until BC Translink resumes charging fares. 

Unfortunately, no. The qualifications listed on the website say that you must be approved for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit to be eligible for this particular benefit. This means that persons must have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or became eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular or fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020.

If you became eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) regular or sickness benefits due to COVID-19 Coronavirus on or after March 15, 2020, your EI claim may have been automatically processed through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, allowing you to qualify for the BCEB. If you’re not sure, you can confirm by calling Service Canada at 1-833-699-0299.

For more information on other eligibility requirements go HERE.

No, an ROE is not required to apply. Employers should still provide one, however, in case an employee later needs to apply for regular Employment Insurance. You may, however, be asked to provide additional documentation to verify your eligibility at a future date. For more questions and answers about the CERB go HERE.

For information regarding how to attain a Record of Employment, visit the Government of Canada ROE page.

There are a number of federal programs designed to help employers keep employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

1. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will cover 75% of an employee’s salary up to $847 per week, for the weeks between March 15 and June 6, 2020. Employers of all sizes can be eligible if they saw a gross revenue loss of at least 15% in March and and 30% in April and May. Applications are open as of April 27, 2020. 

2. The Temporary 10% Wage Subsidy is a separate program from CEWS but allows eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for 3 months (from March 18, 2020 to June 19, 2020). Maximum $1,375 per eligible employee and $25,000 per employer. 

3. The Work Share Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs by allowing employees to collect EI while voluntarily reducing hours and sharing the available work with other employees. To help employers keep employees on staff during COVID-19, the government has relaxed some requirements and extended the maximum length of the agreement.

4. Temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs Program means employers can receive a subsidy to cover up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee, extend the end date of employment, adapt their projects, and hire employees part-time. 

The government is encouraging employers to use these programs to keep employees on the payroll or to hire back employees they have already laid off. 

Starting April 27, 2020, eligible employers, including individuals, corporations and nonprofits, may apply for the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). This allows Canadian employers who have been impacted by COVID-19 to receive a subsidy of 75% to cover employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive March 15, 2020 to June 6, 2020. News regarding an extension of this program to August 29 is coming soon.

Depending on the eligibility period, employers must have experienced a reduction in revenue between 15-30%. The wages covered will be capped at $847 a week. The online CEWS calculator can be used to help estimate your subsidy amount. Applications can be submitted through various means, including the CRA. For additional information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Government of Canada CEWS page.

Yes. You will need to report the payments you receive on next year’s taxes. Income tax will not be deducted from your payments so be aware that you may owe more taxes next year. How much you need to pay back will depend on how much you earn in 2020.

If you’ve lost your job or can’t work because of COVID-19 Coronavirus you may be eligible for a number of financial supports. To learn about the difference between each program and your eligibility requirements check out this Summary.

To qualify for the CERB, you must have earned at least $5,000 in the last 12 months or in 2019. 

The $5,000 includes all employment and self-employment income. This includes among other types of income, tips you have declared as income.

Go to Questions and Answers on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for more information on the types of income that count towards the CERB income qualification. 

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19 Coronavirus, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support.

The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. The Benefit is available from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020. You can apply no later than December 2, 2020 for payments retroactive to within that period.

Go to Questions and Answers of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for more information on qualification.

In response to COVID-19 Coronavirus, all in-person Service Canada Centres are closed until further notice. To see if you are eligible and to apply, see the Government of Canada CERB information online. You can apply through either the CRA or Service Canada.

WorkSafeBC has published a range of information for employers and employees on how to maintain safety at the workplace during the crisis. See HERE for WorkSafeBC guidelines. Note the specific industry guides.

Every employer is required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace and implements measures to keep their workers safe. Please be reminded that in accordance with the order of the Provincial Health Officer, this plan must be posted at the worksite. WorkSafeBC also has a guide on how employers can help prevent exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus in the workplace. Read it here.

Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. Anyone working in BC should understand their workplace health and safety responsibilities, which can be found at WorkSafeBC. However if your employer is following safety guidelines, your refusal could be taken as you quitting. Quitting has serious consequences as you will likely not be eligible for many of the benefits meant to help workers affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including the Canada Response Benefit. Consider your options before refusing work: talk to your boss about ways to make you feel more safe, review WorkSafeBC guidelines, and get legal advice. 

See: Can I get free legal advice during the COVID-19 crisis?

See People’s Law School’s COVID-19 Coronavirus page for more work-related information.

In response to COVID-19 Coronavirus, a new unpaid, job-protected leave has been established for British Columbians unable to work for specified reasons relating to COVID-19 including:

• you have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• you are under quarantine or self-isolation (such as if you returned to Canada from abroad)
• your employer has directed you not to come to work because they are concerned you may have been exposed
• you need to take care of your child or dependent adult for a reason related to COVID-19
• you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19
• you are outside of BC and unable to return to work due to travel or border restrictions

To learn more about the new COVID-19 Coronavirus leave, see HERE.

Furthermore, recent changes to the Employment Standards Act provide up to three days of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees who can't work due to personal illness or injury.

If you can, try to resolve your dispute with your employer. If you are unable to do so you can submit a formal complaint. 

If you are in need of legal advice you can reach out to Lawyer Referral Service for a free consultation. Contact them at 1-800-663-1919 or (604) 687-3221 or email lawyerreferral@accessprobono.ca  

For more information related to COVID employment issues see People’s Law School.

There are a number of provincial and federal programs that have been developed to assist people who have had their income affected by the COVID-19 crisis. 

See HERE for a list of BC programs designed to provide financial support. The B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a one-time $1,000 payment to people who lost income because of COVID-19. Applications open May 1, 2020. To qualify you need to be a BC resident on March 15, 2020, and are at least 15 years old when you apply, have been approved to receive the CERB, have filed (or agree to file) your 2019 tax return, and not be receiving provincial income or disability assistance. 

See HERE for a list of federal programs. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will provide $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for eligible workers. Applications are open as of April 6, 2020. 

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit provides eligible post-secondary students and recent highschool and post-secondary graduates with monthly financial support between $1,250 and $2,000 for up to 16 weeks, depending on whether the student has dependents or a disability. Applications are open as of May 15, 2020.

Keep checking government sources as new programs are being announced almost every day.

If you became eligible for benefits before March 15, 2020 you should apply for EI. If you became eligible on or after March 15, 2020 you should apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), rather than EI. If you applied for EI on or after March 15th, your EI benefits will automatically be moved over to the CERB program. If you were receiving EI benefits prior to March 15th, then you will continue to be paid EI benefits until the end of your benefit period.

Everyone who qualifies for CERB will get $500 a week for 16 weeks. Learn more about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The time you are receiving CERB will essentially pause your EI benefits. This means that if you qualify for 4 months of EI when you start receiving the CERB, you will still have 4 months of EI when the CERB ends. 

The CERB application process opened on April 6, 2020. Service Canada is asking that people stagger their application by birthday, so as to avoid overwhelming the system. Check Canada Emergency Response Benefit to see when your best time to apply is.

The CERB applies to people who cannot work because of COVID-19 Coronavirus. That includes people who are unable to work because:

• They are sick from COVID-19 Coronavirus or in quarantine, 
• They have to take care of others who are sick or in quarantine
• They have to take care of children or dependents whose usual care facility is closed because of COVID-19 Coronavirus
• You have been let go or your hours have been reduced because of COVID-19
• You 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

If you voluntarily quit your job, you will not be eligible for these benefits. See the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

If you have stopped working due to COVID-19 you may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), even if you would not normally qualify for EI. For example, if you are self-employed or a contractor. If you don’t qualify for EI, you can apply through the CRA. The Federal Government will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months.

To be eligible for the CERB, you must 

• reside in Canada 
• be at least 15 years old 
• have stopped working due to COVID-19 or are eligible for EI benefits,
• not have voluntarily quit your job 
• have earned at least $5,000 in 2019, or in the 12 month prior to applying for the CERB
• not have earned more than $1,000 in any income (including self-employment income) for 14 consecutive days in the first 4 weeks of the benefit period. When filing subsequent claims, you cannot have earned more $1,000 in income (including self-employment income) for the entire 4 week benefit period of your new claim. 

See the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for more information.

You should go to the Labour Relations Board (LRB) website for the latest updates. So far the LRB is still taking applications and complaints but they advise their response may be delayed.

Be sure to contact your union or check with your union’s web page for updated information

The BCGEU has a list of frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 Coronavirus, information sheets, and a contact that members can use to ask COVID-19 questions.

The Canadian Government announced  a number of programs designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis, including:

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy for companies who experience a loss of revenue due to the outbreak may be eligible for a wage subsidy of up to 75%. This wage subsidy may be available to companies no matter how many employees they employ. Nonprofits are also eligible.
• Extending the Work-Share Program
• Increasing access to credit
• Allowing businesses to defer paying income tax, GST, and customs duty payments
• The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses offers forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners so that they can reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants by at least 75% for the months of April, May and June, 2020. The program will be released in mid-May.

For a full list and details of BC and federal programs to help businesses, see go to the  the BC COVID-19 Supports for Businesses and see the Federal Government’s Economic Response Plan.

To get answers to your COVID-19 business questions go to the BC Business COVID-19 Support Service and the COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre.

Probably yes. First, consult your lease, and see if there’s any clause that you can point out that can relieve you of the obligation to pay rent during the pandemic. No matter what, try to keep communication lines open. Your landlord is no doubt aware of the situation. Perhaps you can defer the rent payment, or agree to just pay a part of it for a few months. 

If you have insurance, call your broker. It may be that you’re covered for business interruption insurance and can make a claim for compensation at this time.

Otherwise, the Business Development Bank of Canada has an emergency loan program for entrepreneurs. Take a look at the federal government announcement on how they intend to support businesses, including tax deferrals and paying part of employee wages.

More recently, the federal government has reached an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to implement the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. This program will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19 Coronavirus. The program will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50% of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing financial hardship during April, May, and June. The CECRA for small businesses application portal opens at 8:00 a.m. EST on May 25, 2020. See the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for further details.

For more help and information for businesses, see Small Business BC’s new COVID-19 Support Service.