Resources

Many new and existing resources have been made available to Canadians and British Columbians who are facing uncertainty or hardship due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. See below for types of assistance that may be available to members of the VCC community. 

Last reviewed: June 4, 2020

 

Essential services

Essential services are the daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning in our daily lives. These services should and are encouraged to continue operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. see list

Provincial Health Officer (PHO) orders

In a Provincial State of Emergency, the PHO can make orders as needed, which must be followed by all British Columbians. view orders

Prepare to stay home

Do your part by ensuring you’re prepared to stay home. learn more

Public transit

Beginning Friday, March 20, TransLink is suspending bus fare collection and customers must board buses using the rear doors only where possible. Regular fares still apply on other TransLink modes. learn more

Supporting B.C.'s COVID-19 response

The Government of B.C. is accepting donations of both medical and non-medical products and services. learn more

Non-medical questions

The Government of B.C. has created an information hotline dedicated to answering non-medical questions about COVID-19, such as those related to travel recommendations, social distancing, and government resources. More than 110 languages are accessible. learn more

Phone: 1.888.COVID19 or 1.888.268.4319
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Canada Emergency Student Benefit

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) will provide support for eligible students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The benefit will be available from May to August 2020. Applications can be made starting Friday, May 15, 2020 via the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). learn more

Canada Student Service Grant

A new Canada Student Service Grant will provide financial support to students who choose to do national service by helping their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has announced plans to launch a new “I Want to Help" platform to provide information about available service opportunities, as well as the application process. learn more

Student loans

The Government of Canada has announced it will increase the Canada Student Grants amounts as well as broaden eligibility and raise amounts for the Canada Student Loan program. learn more         

Effective March 30, 2020, all British Columbia and national student loan borrowers will temporarily have their repayments suspended.

U-Pass BC

The U-Pass BC program is temporarily suspended as of May 1, 2020. VCC students who have paid for their U-Pass from May to August 2020 will be refunded in full. learn more

Public schools (K-12)

Information on K-12 education, including suspension of in-class instruction, grades, and graduation. learn more

International students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stated that the transition of Canadian post-secondary programs to online studies will not impact visas, study permits, or post-graduate work permits. learn more

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning has been made available as a free, complementary educational resource for registered VCC students. learn more

Renters

The Government of B.C. is introducing a new temporary rental supplement, halting evictions, and freezing rents. LEARN MORE  

Emergency Housing

Existing shelters remain operational and can be found via bc211.ca. Select Vancouver community centres have also been activated to shelter people who are experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. These sites will accept people who are referred by Vancouver Coastal Health, and will be staffed 24/7.

Canada Student Service Grant

A new Canada Student Service Grant will provide up to $5,000 to students who choose to do national service by helping their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has announced plans to launch a new “I Want to Help" platform to provide information about available service opportunities, as well as the application process. LEARN MORE

Canada Summer Jobs Program

Through the Canada Summer Jobs Program and other youth employment strategies, the Government of Canada plans to create 76,000 summer jobs for youth between the ages of 15 and 30, and will be adjusting hiring policies and increasing wage subsidies. LEARN MORE

International students

The Government of Canada has announced the removal of the maximum 20-hour per week work restriction for international students in essential service jobs. LEARN MORE

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Post-secondary students hired through SWPP may now access more flexible start dates and duration of placements. Students may also be permitted to work from home, and post-secondary institutions may access a wage subsidy. LEARN MORE

Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits

Employment Insurance regular benefits may be available to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, including COVID-19-related layoffs. LEARN MORE

Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits

The Government of Canada is waiving the one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits for new claimants who are quarantined, and there will be no requirement to provide a medical certificate. LEARN MORE

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

For eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19, the Government of Canada is offering temporary income support. LEARN MORE

Temporary Pandemic Pay

Eligible B.C. workers providing in-person services in health care, social services, and corrections will receive a lump-sum pay increase covering a 16-week period starting March 15, 2020. No application is required. LEARN MORE

B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers

The Government of B.C. will provide a one-time payment to people who lost income because of COVID-19. LEARN MORE

Income assistance

B.C.’s existing income assistance program continues to be available for eligible people in need. LEARN MORE

Disability assistance

B.C.’s existing disability assistance program continues to be available for eligible people in need. LEARN MORE

Worker safety

WorkSafeBC offers information on rights regarding health and safety in the workplace. LEARN MORE

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

The Government of Canada has announced a wage subsidy to assist eligible employers in supporting the health and wellbeing of employees, and keep workers on their payroll. LEARN MORE

 

Increase to Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

Increases to CCB benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled payments in May. learn more

Child care options 

Information and benefits to assist parents with child care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. learn more

Child care for essential workers

The B.C. Government is working with Health Authoritoes to complie a list of available child care spaces, and will assist essential workers in accessing them. An application is required. learn more

Canada Emergency Student Benefit

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) will provide support for eligible students and new graduates who are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The benefit will be available from May to August 2020. Applications can be made starting Friday, May 15, 2020 via the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). learn more

Student loans

The Government of Canada has announced it will increase Canada Student Grants amounts, as well as broaden eligibility and raise amounts for the Canada Student Loan program. learn more      

Effective March 30, 2020, all British Columbia and national student loan borrowers will temporarily have their repayments suspended.

Special GST credit payment

The Government of Canada is providing a one-time special payment through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit for low- and modest-income families. learn more

COVID-19 Money Navigator

Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) can connect you with multi-lingual money coaches and personal navigators who can help you access benefits and financial supports. learn more

Climate Action Tax Credit

The Government of B.C. is offering a one-time enhanced B.C. climate action tax credit payment. learn more

BC Hydro

Customers affected by COVID-19 may defer bill payments, arrange for flexible payment plans, or access grants. learn more

ICBC (Auto insurance)

Customers who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 may defer monthly payments with no penalty. learn more

 

Here2Talk

The Government of B.C. has launched Here2Talk, a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Students can access free, confidential, single session counselling services by:

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

Temporary Medical Services Plan coverage may be available. learn more

Emergency travel assistance

Canadians outside Canada who are directly impacted by COVID-19 are able to apply for an emergency repayable loan to facilitate their return to Canada and to cover basic essential needs. learn more

COVID-19 EMERGENCY BURSARY FUND

Help students meet basic needs during COVID-19

           Donate Now                     Donate Now          
https://www.vcc.ca/makeagift