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These are the new, enhanced benefits for Burnaby workers

In the face of COVID-19, the provincial and federal governments have announced a series of new and enhanced benefits and payments have been announced to support individuals.
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The B.C. government wants to get the minimum wage for servers to $15.20/hour by 2021.

In the face of COVID-19, the provincial and federal governments have announced a series of new and enhanced benefits and payments have been announced to support individuals.  These benefits will support many people, and will be an important part of the plan to help our community get through the coming weeks and months. 
Emergency Care Benefit 
This will provide up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks, to support people who are sick and unable to work (but not covered by EI) or parents who need to look after children due to school closures and therefore cannot work (regardless of EI eligibility).

Application for this new benefit will be available in April 2020. You won’t need a doctor’s note, and you can apply online for the $900 every two weeks.

GST Bonus Credit
This is a one-time special payment for low- and modest-income families which will be made by early May.  It will provide an average boost to income for those eligible of $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.  No application will be needed as this is part of the existing GST credit program.

Enhanced Canada Child Benefit
There will be an increase to the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts of $300 per child.  There is no application needed as this will be part of the existing CCB program, and the extra contribution should be made on the regular May payment.

BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
This benefit will be a one-time, tax-free $100 payment to BC workers impacted by job loss due to COVID-19.  This benefit will be open to anyone who receives federal EI payments, or the new Emergency Care Benefit or the Emergency Support Benefit, which therefore includes the self-employed as well.  There will be an application process but it has not yet been outlined

Expanding the B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit
The BC government will expand the existing BC Climate Action Tax Credit payments, so that eligible families of four will receive up to $564 and eligible individuals will receive up to $218 in an enhanced payment.  No application will be needed as this will be part of the existing tax credit program.

Information on COVID-19 benefits and payments, and other government programs is available online at the Burnaby Board of Trade’s COVID-19 Updates page: bit.ly/BBOTCOVID

The Burnaby Board of Trade is Burnaby’s chamber of commerce, and is a catalyst for economic growth, the convener of business and community leaders, and a champion for the interests of local businesses.