All levels of government providing financial supports

ATHABASCA - With thousands of workers, in almost every industry around the province losing their jobs, being laid-off, or having to self-isolate, local, provincial and federal government are offering a number of financial supports to those who were caught by surprise by COVID-19 and had to leave their jobs.

The Alberta government has already committed billions to support those who need it due to circumstances related to the coronavirus. This includes $60 million for community organizations, including emergency and homeless shelters; $45 million to waive interest on student loans; a 90-day deferral on utility payments; and another $3.6 billion through the ATB Financial customer relief program.

The province also announced another $50 million for self-isolating Albertans and those caring for self-isolating dependents March 25.

An emergency isolation support payment of $1,146 is available for eligible working Albertans who have experienced total or significant loss of income as a result of having to self-isolate, or are the sole caregiver of a dependent who is self-isolating, and have no other source of compensation, such as workplace sick leave benefits or federal employment insurance benefits.

“What it boils down to is we have a health emergency identified and we’re needing people to isolate at home, but they still need to be able to finance their way through that, so this is the government coming along and saying ‘We’re going to help you do that,’” said Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken.

The money is meant to hold people over until federal emergency money finds its way to those who need it and until the backlog of employment insurance claims subsides.

That backlog has been a serious concern for those applying for EI and for some they just don’t have that option.

Boyle resident Denise Lang-Wells said she was laid off, but can’t get EI as she is also on AISH.

“I’ve always worked, but AISH will take dollar for dollar away of any EI. This means that we are just out my $700 a month that I count on from my job. There’s no help for us available in this government aid program. I have paid into EI for years. This doesn't make sense to me,” she said.

Athabasca’s Basil Manossa said he currently has an active EI claim, but hasn’t been able to file his normal reports because the system is overloaded.

“I do work and thus must report my income, to keep my claim active, however I haven't been able to get through at all do to the high call volume, it has been three days of trying,” he said.

“If I can't get my report in my claim may be cancelled and will have to restart the application process and that alone can take months.”

After nearly a week of trying, Manossa was finally able to get through last Thursday evening.

With such a backlog for EI, the federal government also recently announced the Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit, which also doesn’t require an individual to have paid into EI.

The CERB covers Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures.

“The Canada Emergency Response Benefit would make sure that money gets in the hands of workers as quickly as possible to support them in their time of need, and would help businesses keep their employees during this difficult period,” said federal finance minister Bill Morneau upon announcing the new benefit March 25.

The federal government is also increasing the Canada Child Benefit by $300 per child per month; increasing the GST rebate by $400 for individuals and $600 for couples in May; and eased the rules on Registered Retirement Income Funds by reducing the required minimal withdrawal by 25 per cent in 2020.

van Dijken said he’s glad to see all levels of government stepping up to provide support for its citizens.

“We see that all levels of government are coming together and recognize that it has to be a cooperative effort in order to be able to rise above all this. With regard to all level of government there has been great cooperation with everybody throughout the country, whether it’s federally, provincially or municipally,” he said.

“We recognize there is one common enemy that needs to be attacked together and there have been good working relationships across the country.”

Chris Zwick,TownandCountryToday.com

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