SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYEES – effective immediately

EMERGENCY SUPPORT BENEFITS

Federal Government
To support workers the Government of Canada has proposed legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months to:

• Workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• Workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• Working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• Workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• Wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

Application details will be available through My CRA and My Service Canada, beginning the first week of April.

SASKATCHEWAN EMPLOYMENT SUPPLEMENT

Provincial Government
The Saskatchewan Employment Supplement (SES) provides assistance to families with lower-incomes who have children. It is a monthly payment that supplements income from a job, farming, self-employment, or from child or spousal support. To be eligible for SES you must:

• Have children under the age of 13 years;
• Receive more than $125 each month from employment, self-employment, farming and/or child or spousal support;
• Reside in Saskatchewan and hold a valid Saskatchewan Health Services card.

SELF-ISOLATION SUPPORT PROGRAM

Provincial Government
The Self-Isolation Support Program will provide $450 per week, for a maximum of two weeks or $900.  The program is targeted at Saskatchewan residents forced to self-isolate that are not covered by recent federally announced employment insurance programs and other supports. The program is designed to ensure that all Saskatchewan residents are covered by either a federal or provincial program to ensure no one is faced with choosing to work instead of protecting their family and community from COVID-19 by self-isolating. This will mostly benefit self-employed residents of Saskatchewan.

UTILITY PAYMENT

City of Estevan
The City will continue to bill for utility services as normal. However, to best serve the City’s customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current Utility Services:

• Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 1, 2020;
• Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 1, 2020; and
• The City will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship.  However, civic staff will continue to work with the City’s utility customers regarding payment arrangements so as not to leave them in a difficult financial situation in the future.

Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper hand-washing and personal hygiene.

PROPERTY TAXES

City of Estevan
Your 2020 Property Tax notice will be delivered by the end of June, 2020.

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment.

On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show July 31, 2020, however:

• The City is extending a two-month grace period to provide you with additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax.
• You will not incur any late payment penalties on your 2020 Property Tax if you pay the full amount due by September 30, 2020.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT MORATORIUM

Provincial Government
A six-month Student Loan Repayment Moratorium has been put in place, mirroring a similar federal provision. This provides individuals with student loans immediate relief.

TAX FILING

Canadian Revenue Agency
The tax filing deadline has been extended to June 1, and all taxpayers are allowed to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020.

PASSPORT SERVICES

Federal Government
Allowing Canadians with urgent travel needs to obtain Passport Services, if they:

• Have a serious illness, or must tend to the serious illness or death of another individual they have had a relationship with
• Suffer from economic hardships due to loss of job or business (the cost of an airline, bus or train ticket does not constitute economic hardship)
• Must travel for humanitarian grounds, supported by the requesting organization

ENHANCED CHILD CARE BENEFIT

Federal Government
An increase to the maximum annual Child Care Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, only for the 2019-20 benefit year, by $300 per child. Those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit do not need to re-apply.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX CREDIT

Federal Government
A one-time special payment for low-and modest-income families, who may require additional help with their finances, through the Goods and Services Tax (GSTC) credit. This will double the maximum annual GSTC payment amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year. Single individuals will receive close to $400, and almost $600 for couples benefiting from this measure. There is no need to apply for this payment. If you are eligible, you will get it automatically.

CANADA STUDENT LOANS

Federal Government
A plan to pause the repayment of Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans until September 30, 2020, with no accrual interest.

REGISTERED RETIREMENT INCOME FUNDS

Federal Government
A reduction to the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25% for 2020. This will provide flexibility to seniors that are concerned that they may be required to liquidate their RRIF assets to meet minimum withdrawal requirements.