Back to Blog

BC Emergency Benefit Update and Temporary Emergency Funding Program

General Trish Pigott 23 Apr

Both the provincial and federal governments are announcing daily changes and enhancements to the benefits being offered to households and businesses across the province and the country.  While there are still many unknowns, it seems many are continuing on adjusting the new way of life from a distance.  Today there were two new announcements from the provincial government pertaining to the BC Emergency Benefit for workers and Temporary Emergency Funding Program.

Provincial Government Update

BC Emergency Benefit for Workers

  • Benefit: The BCEBW is a one-time, tax-free $1,000 payment for British Columbians whose ability to work has been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Eligibility: people must:
    • have been a resident of British Columbia on March 15, 2020;
    • meet the eligibility requirements for the CERB;
    • have been approved for the CERB, even if they have not received a benefit yet;
    • be at least 15 years old on the date of application;
    • have filed, or agree to file, a 2019 B.C. income tax return; and
    • not be receiving provincial income assistance or disability assistance.
    • Most people who are eligible for the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are also eligible for the BCEBW, including those who have run out of employment insurance (EI) benefits and subsequently qualify for the CERB.

Starting May 1, applications can be made online, at any time, and a link to the application portal will be available at: www.gov.bc.ca/workerbenefit

Temporary Emergency Funding Program

  • Funding for licensed providers at a rate of seven times their average monthly child care operating base funding.
  • Child care centres receiving this funding continue to be eligible for the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Wage Enhancement. The fee reduction helps parents by providing funding for licensed child care providers to reduce and stabilize their monthly child care fees. The wage enhancement has provided nearly 12,000 ECEs with a $1-per-hour wage enhancement, which increased to $2 per hour on April 1, 2020, to better recognize the work they do.
  • Families accessing care from these providers may be eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.

We will continue to update with new announcements and information to help during these times.  Stay safe everyone!