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If your ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible for the BC Emergency Benefit for Workers. We’re sharing information from the Government of BC about the Benefit, eligibility and how to apply, below.
What support is provided and for how long?
The BC Emergency Benefit for Workers is a tax-free, one-time $1,000 payment for BC residents whose ability to work has been affected by COVID-19.
Eligibility:
You must fulfill all of the following to qualify for the Benefit:
- You must have been a resident of BC on March 15th, 2020
- You must meet the eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (check out our blog post on the CERB for more info)
- You must have been approved for the CERB but you do not need to have received the payment at the time of your application to qualify
- You must be at least 15 years old on the date you apply
- You must have filed, or agree to file, a 2019 BC income tax return
- You must not be receiving provincial income assistance or disability assistance
An important note on eligibility:
You don’t need to have all of the required eligibility documentation handy when you apply (you’ll simply be asked eligibility questions); however, all applications will eventually be verified, and at that point, you may be asked to provide proof of eligibility.
Know that if you receive a payment and you’re later determined to be ineligible, you may be required to repay it with additional penalties and interest.
How and when to apply:
Online applications are now open.
- There is no wait time to access the online application (which is likely to be quicker than calling in) and the application process only takes a few minutes.
If you don’t have Internet access, you can apply by telephone starting May 4th.
- Toll free within BC at 1-855-955-3545 (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm)
- Lines will be open for questions on May 1st, but you won’t be able to apply over the phone until May 4th.
You have until December 2, 2020 to apply.
When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need all of the following:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your direct deposit information:
- Branch (Transit) Number
- Institution Number
- Account Number
- An approved Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- If you haven’t applied for CERB, you must do so (ensuring eligibility) to qualify for the BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
How long is the wait?
- You can expect to receive payment within ten business days after your application is approved.
- You’ll be notified by email once your payment has been processed
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit: What you need to know
What else you should know about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
What to know about BC Hydro’s COVID-19 Relief Fund for residential customers
COVID-19: how to request a grant under BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Fund
How to apply for BC Housing’s BC Temporary Rental Supplement Program
Look through all of our COVID-19 related information on our website.
Where do we fit in?
Yes, we are a provincial regulator. We are responsible for some very specific transactions in BC. We aren’t experts on COVID-19. We won’t – and shouldn’t – ever give medical or legal advice. But we are in a unique circumstance right now and we want to help people navigate the current reality. We don’t have all the answers, but we will do our best to share information from reliable sources, put it in ways that are easy to digest and understand, provide referrals and help you navigate this situation.
About Consumer Protection BC:
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
I am trying to apply for the employee benefit but your
application form says that my address info is wrong even though I have lived at the same address for over 5 years. I suggest you check your info not ask me to check mine
Hi David, please note that we do not process the BC Emergency Benefit applications. If you’d like, you can apply over the phone by calling 1-855-955-3545 (Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm). I hope this helps!
My son applied of EI (Sick benefit) first week of March until now the decision has not been made. He have all the qualification for CERB except that he submitted application for EI before March 15 due to injury. My question is, can he apply for BC emergency benefit for workers?
Hi Myrna, I don’t have the answer to your question at the moment, but I would suggest calling the BC government’s help line at 1-855-955-3545 (within B.C. only) or emailing them at BCEBW@gov.bc.ca to see if he can apply in this case.
Hi there, I already applied online since the 2nd of May and it’s been more than 2 weeks now and I still haven’t received the payment yet . What should I do ? Thank you
Hi there, I would suggest calling the help line at 1-855-955-3545 (within B.C. only) or emailing BCEBW@gov.bc.ca to check as we do not process the applications here at Consumer Protection BC. Thank you!
I applied for the bc emergency benefit on May 1. Have not received it, today is May 21?
Hi there, I was on CERB for the first 3 x eligible periods and will now be remployed on the wage subsidy. I applied and received the BC Emergency Benefit. How long do we have to have been on CERB to not have to pay back the BC Emergency Benefit? My net was reduced by $1700 per month for 3 x months and will continue to be reduced even when hired back
Hi Rosemary, I don’t have an answer to your question at the moment, but I’m sure the BCEBW help line will be able to help you! They can be reached at 1-855-955-3545 or alternatively, you can email them at BCEBW@gov.bc.ca.
Hi Kevin,
I was on unemployment sick benefits in March and it ran out at the end of May. I qualified for CERB and qualify for the BC Emergency Benefit (as I interpret it). My doctor will not allow me to go back to work due to my immune system, working conditions at my job in fear that I have a very likely chance of contracting Covid. The company I work for has put me on unpaid sick leave until I have the okay from my doctor. Do I qualify for the BC Emergency Benefit? I applied for the June CERB and received 2 cheques. I called and found out that they sent me a cheque for May which I didn’t apply for and need to send it back. Do you have a mailing address for CERB? I haven’t been able to find one to send the cheque to. Thank you for your help.
Hi Dyan, thank you for asking your question here. Unfortunately, we do not administer these benefits so I’m afraid you would have to contact them directly. For CERB address, it would be either CRA or Service Canada so perhaps try calling them to speak to someone to get the address. We certainly hope you will be able to get all the information you need!
I didn’t receive any support only once cerb $2000 at begining that’s all n never received any support from gov federal or provincial gov at all . Please ASAP info or submit my gov worker benefit support so I can support my self since March 15 2020 . thank you so much for your attention and your time
Hi Yuniar, we do not provide CERB or BC Emergency Benefit for Workers. Please contact the government directly – the information regarding the CERB is here and BC Emergency Benefit for Workers is here. I hope you will be able to get the support you need right away.
Hello,
Currently , I am receiving EI .Can I apply for this 1000 one time payment
Hi Hassan, every case is different so the BC government suggests that you can call to inquire about your eligibility. Here is the website that has more detailed information and their contact phone number is 1-855-955-3545 (within BC only) or 1-778-309-4630 (outside BC). I hope you will be able to chat with them and find out if you are eligible.