CIPSRT COVID-19 Readiness Resource Project (CRRP)
Dealing With Financial Concerns
- Taking Care of Your Basic Needs
- How To Identify and Manage Stress
- Types of Stress Faced by Public Safety Personnel
- Moral injury: What is it and Why Should I Care?
- Practical Ways to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19
- CRRP Virtual Town Hall Series
- Talking About COVID-19: Tips for Constructive Conversations
- Leading Through a Crisis: Tips for Public Safety Leaders
- More Information About COVID-19
- Acknowledgements
If your household income has dropped because of layoffs, reduced hours, or other circumstances, you might be feeling more financial stress than usual. The federal government offers many resources, including information on the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, and income taxes. A number of businesses are also offering discounts and other benefits to public safety personnel (PSP) during this time.
Federal government resources
Canadian Emergency Response Benefit
The CERB provides temporary income support to workers who are no longer earning employment income or whose income has been significantly reduced because of COVID-19.
Find more information about benefits, credits and support payments.
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan includes a range of measures to help individuals, families, and businesses deal with the financial challenges of the pandemic. These include:
Individuals and families
- Canada Child Benefit increases
- Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment
- Extra time to file income tax returns
- Mortgage support
Indigenous peoples
- Indigenous Community Support Fund
- Supporting preparedness in First Nations and Inuit communities
Seniors
- Reduced minimum withdrawals for Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs)
- Supporting the delivery of items and personal outreach
- Immediate and essential services through the New Horizons for Seniors Program
Students and recent graduates
- Support for student loan borrowers
- Canada Emergency Student Benefit
- Support for international students working in essential services
Income tax
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government has introduced a number of financial resources and changes to taxation laws to help you during this uncertain time.
For general information on the pandemic-related changes made to income tax in Canada, see COVID-19: Managing financial health in challenging times.
Income tax filing and payment dates
Penalties and interest on income tax will not be charged if deferred payment requirements are met by September 1, 2020. For income tax balances not covered by the COVID-19 provisions, penalties and interest relief will be considered on a case-by-case basis
For more information, see Income tax filing and payment deadlines: CRA and COVID-19.
The Canada Revenue Agency is also offering free virtual tax clinics and other supports to help you manage your taxes during this period.
For more information, see Outreach activities: CRA and COVID-19.
Discounts and other benefits for public safety personnel
These businesses are offering discounts, free products and services, and other benefits in recognition of the important work you’re doing during this time:
Airbnb
Airbnb is partnering with its hosts to connect 100,000 healthcare providers, relief workers, and first responders with clean, convenient places to stay that allow them to be close to patients and safely distanced from their families.
More information: Frontline stays for COVID-19 responders
CAA South Central Ontario
CAA South Central Ontario is offering free roadside assistance to healthcare workers and frontline responders, whether members or not.
To access: Call *222 or 1-800-222-4357
More information: CAASCO on Twitter
McDonald’s Canada
McDonald’s is offering a free medium McCafé premium roast coffee or tea for PSPs at participating drive-thru locations.
More information: McDonald’s Canada on Facebook
Nando’s
Nando’s is offering free meals to hospital workers with a valid ID.
More information: We’re not chicken. We’re family.
StayWell Charity
StayWell Charity is offering subsidized housing for healthcare providers and patient families.
More information: COVID-19 response
Content contributors:
- Margaret McKinnon, Ph.D., CPsych; Homewood Chair in Mental Health and Trauma; Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University; Research Lead, Mental Health and Addictions, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton; Senior Scientist, Homewood Research Institute
- Ruth Lanius, MD, Ph.D., FRCPC; Director of the PTSD Research Unit, University of Western Ontario; Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario
- Krysta Andrews, Ph.D., MSW, RSW; Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University
- Sherain Harricharan, Ph.D.; Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University
- Bethany Easterbrook, B.Kin, MSc; Ph.D. Student, Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University
- Andrew Nicholson, Ph.D., BSc; Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
Content reviewers:
- Kyle Handley, Ph.D.; Lead Psychologist, York Regional Police
- Lorraine Downey, Ottawa Paramedic Service, City of Ottawa