Below you will find a list of resources that have recently become available to provide assistance during these challenging times. Please note that the information changes on a daily basis; while we do our best to ensure that the information we provide is up to date, we encourage residents with inquiries about these services to contact the providers of these resources directly.
Additionally, if you are a Brightside resident and you are experiencing extraordinary hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us so that we are able to provide more pertinent information on future resource pages, and are better able to connect you with services that have become available. You can contact us by email at info@brightsidehomes.ca, or by leaving a voicemail at 604-684-3515.
Government Support
- Rent supplement (BC-TRS) – A temporary rental supplement for renters with low to moderate incomes offers up to $500 for up to three months, paid directly to landlords. This supplement is for residents who have experienced income loss due to COVID-19, and who do not qualify for existing rental assistance programs. Full eligibility details are available on BC Housing’s website. You can find more information regarding this at https://www.bchousing.org/COVID-19 or by calling 1-877-757-2577.
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – This supplement supports Canadians by providing urgently needed financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who have been directly affected by COVID-19. It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4-week period, for up to 16 weeks. This benefit will be available to those who;
- Have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits.
- Had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application.
- Are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period.
You can apply for this benefit online with ‘CRA My Account’ or over the phone with an automated service. Simply google “CRA My Account” and click on the first link, or phone 1-800-959-2019. Remember to have your SIN number ready when calling.
- Increases to Income Assistance and Disability Assistance – Recipients of provincial income or disability assistance will receive a bonus supplement of $300 over the next three months. If recipients access federal programs, like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, income from these programs will not be subject to provincial claw backs for the next 3 months. If you already receive income or disability assistance, the top up will go directly on your next cheque.
- BC Emergency Benefit – The B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a one-time $1,000 payment to people who lost income because of COVID-19. Residents of BC who receive federal Employment Insurance, or the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit are eligible. Applications for the one-time payment will open soon.
COVID-19 Information
- The Ministry of Health has created a phone service to provide non-medical information about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 am – 8 pm daily. For the deaf and hard of hearing, call 7-1-1. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.
- BC Coronavirus Information Line: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or via text message at 604-630-0300.
- Testing/Assessment – The BC Ministry of Health also offers the ‘BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool’ which will help determine if you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. You can access this tool at https://bc.thrive.health/covid19. Alternatively, a similar assessment tool is available by calling 8-1-1. Please note that 8-1-1 is experiencing high call volumes and long wait times.
- Testing can be done at some Urgent and Primary Care Centres. Some primary care doctors may do testing as well; call first to check, and to allow them to prepare for you. Do not go to hospital emergency departments just for testing, only if you are having severe symptoms that require immediate medical assistance.
- REACH UPCC – If experiencing more than mild symptoms and would like to be assessed, you can access the UPCC, or for consultation with a nurse call 604-216-3138.
Delivery Services
- Safe Seniors, Strong Communities – this program is being administered through BC211. They are assisting folks with: grocery shopping and delivery, meal preparation and delivery, prescription pickup and delivery, phone/virtual friendly visits. You can enroll for this service by calling 2-1-1, or enroll online (http://www.bc211.ca) by clicking on the ‘register now’ button under the ‘NEW Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Program’.
- JFS Community Care Hotline – this emergency response resource provides essential services to folks that need support at this time. The services they offer include; meal or food bank grocery delivery, counselling/emotional support, friendly phone “visiting.” To get access to this service:
- Call: 604-558-5719
- Email: communitycare@jfsvancouver.ca
- Complete the form at: www.jfsvancouver.ca/jfs-cares