The COVID-19 crisis has had an enormous impact on the daily operations of the Foundation, whether it be Lodge, Senior-Self Contained or Community Housing.
Links:
AHS Building Resilient Families by promoting Positive Mental and Physical Health - Great ideas, suggestions and links here!
https://www.ecowatch.com/groceries-coronavirus-health-2645656475.html
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-for-keeping-your-home-clean-in-the-time-of-covid-19/
https://globalnews.ca/news/6755981/coronavirus-covid-19-home-cleaning/
COVID-19: Information for Alberta Landlords and Tenants
Handwashing Put to the Test
https://www.ecowatch.com/groceries-coronavirus-health-2645656475.html
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-for-keeping-your-home-clean-in-the-time-of-covid-19/
https://globalnews.ca/news/6755981/coronavirus-covid-19-home-cleaning/
COVID-19: Information for Alberta Landlords and Tenants
Handwashing Put to the Test
How to disinfect groceries after shopping
Supports for Albertans - Immediate relief for Albertans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Tax changes: Education property tax freeze
Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s level – reversing the 3.4% population and inflation increase added in Budget 2020.
This will save households $55 million.
Payment deferrals
Utility payment deferral: Residential customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.
This program is available to Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19, such as those who have lost their employment or had to leave work to take care of an ill family member.
Call your utility provider directly to arrange for a 90-day deferral on all payments.
Learn more about the 90-day utility payment deferral.
Student loans repayment deferrals
We are implementing a 6 month, interest free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments for all Albertans in the process of repaying these loans.
Banks and credit unions
Alberta credit unions
ATB Financial customers
Federal government programs
Albertans may also be eligible for financial supports through the federal government:
Employment Insurance sickness benefits
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) (launching April 2020)
Canada Child Benefit
GST rebate increase
Eased rules for RRIFs
Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s level – reversing the 3.4% population and inflation increase added in Budget 2020.
This will save households $55 million.
Payment deferrals
Utility payment deferral: Residential customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider.
This program is available to Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19, such as those who have lost their employment or had to leave work to take care of an ill family member.
Call your utility provider directly to arrange for a 90-day deferral on all payments.
Learn more about the 90-day utility payment deferral.
Student loans repayment deferrals
We are implementing a 6 month, interest free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments for all Albertans in the process of repaying these loans.
- Alberta Student Loan repayments will be paused for 6 months, beginning March 30, 2020.
- Interest will not accrue during this period. This mirrors the approach of the Canada Student Loans Program.
- Students do not need to apply for the repayment pause.
- Borrowers may continue making payments during this period if they choose and this will not affect their eligibility to receive the benefit
Banks and credit unions
Alberta credit unions
- Credit union members will have access to a variety of programs and solutions designed to ease difficulties with loan payments and short-term cash flow. Contact your credit union to work out a plan for your personal situation.
ATB Financial customers
- Personal banking customers can apply for a deferral on their ATB loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to 6 months.
Federal government programs
Albertans may also be eligible for financial supports through the federal government:
Employment Insurance sickness benefits
- Provides up to 15 weeks of income replacement for eligible Albertans who are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine (self-isolation).
- One-week waiting period is waived for people in self-isolation.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) (launching April 2020)
- Provides $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to workers without paid sick leave (or similar workplace accommodation) who are unable to work, sick, quarantined or forced to stay home to care for children.
Canada Child Benefit
- Eligible parents will receive $300 more per child with their regular May CCB payment.
GST rebate increase
- Provides low- and modest-income Albertans with a one-time special payment in May of up to $400 for single people and $600 for couples.
Eased rules for RRIFs
- The required minimum withdrawal from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) will be reduced by 25% in 2020 in recognition of the impact of volatile market conditions on many seniors’ retirement savings.