Supporting Our Resident Members

May 13

Boardwalk acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving many Canadians with uncertain income and growing concerns over making rental payments.

Let’s Work Together

As we chart through unprecedented times where social distancing is vital, Boardwalk wants to ensure that we are providing our Resident Members with clarity on some of the options available to them on making their rental payments.

We urge you to contact us promptly by phone, email or through our Resident Member platform powered by Yuhu to advise of any issues or concerns regarding making upcoming rent payment.

Support Measures: Opportunities in place for our Resident Members

Contact us immediately by phone/email or Yuhu to schedule a phone appointment
Provide a copy of you ROE and any additional supporting paperwork regarding employment status
Work one-on-one with our Leaders to explore and arrange for flexibility and specific payment options

Continued Payment Method Options

Yuhu

Our new Resident Member portal powered by Yuhu offers an easy online environment where Resident Members can make payments from the comfort of their homes. The following payment options are included: Credit/Debit, Credit Card and Pre-Authorized Payment.

*Payments through Yuhu circumvent the general 3-5 day business delay you may experience when online banking. * So, if you have not yet joined Yuhu, simply reach out to your Community Residential Managers for assistance.

PAP

If you are currently on PAP and you are unsure the funds will clear in time, you may want to cancel your PAP by March 22nd to avoid additional fees. Please notify your sites by email or phone should you be cancelling.

Site-drop offs

Please use your site drop box for all money orders and personal cheque payments can be placed.

Watch for Government Assistance

Both the federal and provincial governments have committed to substantial financial measures to help Canadians.

Across Canada

Employment Insurance (EI):

The government is waiving the one-week waiting period for those individuals in imposed quarantine
Trusted Source: Employment Insurance

Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act (now available):

The government will provide $2,000/month for up to 16 weeks for workers who lose their income as a result of COVID 19
Individuals should expect to receive payment within 10 days of applying
This benefit will increase the Government of Canada's previously announced $27-billion in direct support for workers to $52-billion
This benefit will provide income support to eligible workers who:
- have ceased working for reasons due to COVID-19
- are sick or quarantined
- are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19
- are parents with children who require supervision due to school or daycare closures
- remain employed but are not receiving income due to disruptions to their work caused by COVID-19
The new COVID-19 leave introduced into the Canada Labour Code provides an employee who is unable or unavailable to work for reasons related to COVID-19 a job-protected leave of absence for up to 16 weeks
During a leave, among other things:
- the pension, health and disability benefits and the seniority of an employee continue to accumulate. If an employee normally pays premiums for their benefits coverage, they are required to continue to pay them within a reasonable time throughout the leave (and the employer is only required to continue paying the employer share) or else the benefits (and employer contributions) may cease
- if the employee makes a written request, the employer must keep the employee informed in writing of every employment, promotion or training opportunity that arises during the leave of absence for which the employee is qualified
The COVID-19 leave is in place until October 1, 2020, at which time it is currently scheduled to be removed from the Canada Labour Code. A new 16 week quarantine leave is to be added to the Canada Labour Code effective October 1, 2020. In addition to this change, other amendments have been made to limit an employer's ability to request doctors' notes for other statutory leaves, such as Compassionate Care Leave, Leave for Critical Illness or Medical Leave
Finally, the Government of Canada announced that it will be imposing a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period for those returning to Canada under the Quarantine Act. Essential workers will be exempt from this mandatory self-isolation
Trusted Source: Bill C

Emergency Support Benefit:

Intended to be a long-term income support

Trusted Source: Emergency Support Benefit

Canada Student Loans:

Placing a 6-month free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all individuals currently in the process of repaying these loans

GST Credit:

A one-time special payment by early May close to $400.00 for single individuals and close to $600.00 for couples

Canada Child Benefit:

An increase of $300.00 per child as part of their May payment

Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs):

Reducing minimum withdrawals from RRIF’s by 25% for 2020

Alberta

Emergency Isolation Support:

Eligible working Albertans can receive a one-time emergency isolation support payment of $1,146 if they are required to self-isolate or are the sole caregiver of someone in self-isolation and they have no other source of pay or compensation
This is a temporary program to bridge the gap until the Federal Emergency Care Benefit is available in April
If you are eligible for federal Employment Insurance benefits, you are strongly encouraged to apply immediately

Eligibility

You are eligible for the emergency isolation support program if you:
- have experienced total or significant loss of income and are not receiving compensation from any other source because you:
  - have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  - have been directed by health authorities to self-isolate
  - are the sole caregiver of a dependent who is in self-isolation
You are not eligible for this program if you:
- were not working immediately before you were advised to self-isolate
- can work from home
- are not experiencing a significant loss of income as a result of self-isolation
- are currently collecting other forms of income support or employer benefits while self-isolated, such as:
  - workplace sick leave benefits
  - federal employment insurance (EI) benefits
  - are staying home to care for a dependent who is home for a reason other than self-isolation
  - reside outside of Alberta

If you are not eligible for this program, other supports are available.

How to Apply

Sign into the MyAlberta Emergency Isolation Support system using your verified MyAlberta Digital ID (MADI) account to complete the application.

If you don’t have a verified MADI account, you can sign up during the application process using your Alberta driver’s licence or ID card number to confirm your identity.
You do not need to wait 10 days for the mailed verification code to complete your application.

If you need help completing your application, call Alberta Connects at 310-4455, open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. Please be patient as call volumes may be high.

After You Apply

After submitting an application you will receive an email confirmation with a reference number for future interactions.

If your application is approved, you will receive a one-time payment of $1,146 through Interac e-Transfer within 24 to 48 hours.

Other Available Benefits

If you are not eligible for the emergency isolation support payment, other programs are available:

Employment Insurance – the one-week waiting period has been waived for people in self-isolation
Utility payment deferral
Student loans repayment deferral
Deferrals on ATB lines of credit and mortgages for up to 6 months
Deferrals on 2019 tax returns until June 1, 2020

90-day Utility Payment Deferral

What is happening?

To help Albertans avoid additional financial hardship as they weather the unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis, government is working with utility companies to allow residential, farm, and small commercial customers, who are unable to pay their bill when due, to defer their utility bills for up to 90 days. During this time, no Albertans will be cut off from these services.

This program is available to Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19; for example, those who have lost their employment or had to leave work to take care of an ill family member. This program came into effect on March 18, 2020 and will run through June 18, 2020.

What is a deferral?

When payment is deferred, it means the customer does not have to pay within the usual agreed-upon payment period. Customers usually have 30 days from the end of the last billing period in which to pay their utility bills. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, utility companies are required to defer this deadline by 90 days.

How does it work?

To arrange for a deferral, call your natural gas or electricity provider directly. You will need your account information. Please be patient as there may be higher-than-normal call volumes

When do I have to pay?

The 90-day deferral program is designed to provide temporary financial relief, and consumers will still have to pay for their deferred utilities. Government and the Alberta Utilities Commission will work with utility companies to develop a payment system to help consumers pay back their deferred utilities within a reasonable time period.

No cut-off during COVID-19

Government is committed to ensuring Albertans have access to utilities during the COVID-19 outbreak, and has directed utility companies that they cannot cut consumers off from these vital services. Consumers should contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate (www.ucahelps.alberta.ca) for support in resolving any service issues that may arise with their service providers during this time.

Student Loans Repayment Deferral

We are implementing a six-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.