During this unprecedented time, the health and well-being of you and your families is a top priority.
As Canada’s Online Insurance Marketplace ™ since 2012, we are leaders in the industry with our digital innovations, which allows us to handle all your insurance needs from the comfort of your home.
Right now, we are focused on how we can continue to service our clients and our community while providing you with all the information you need to get through this.
There is a lot of misinformation out there and we want to help by highlighting some of the information you may need for your household.
At SUREX – We’re In This Together!
*details below were current as of Friday, March 27, 2020. Please check links provided for the most up to date information.
Alberta residents experiencing financial hardship:
Emergency Isolation Support
Working Albertans not eligible for Employment Insurance support can receive a one-time support payment of $1,146. Applications are now open.
https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-isolation-support.aspx
Utility payment Deferral
Residential customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider. Call your provider directly to arrange for a deferral.
https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid19-90-day-utility-deferral.pdf
Student Loans Repayment Deferral
Six-month, interest-free, moratorium on Alberta and Canada student loan payments in the process of repaying these loans.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
Banks and Credit Unions
Customers affected can contact their bank directly to apply for a deferral of loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to 6 months.
Ontario residents experiencing financial hardship:
Emergency Assistance Program
Additional resources to individuals and families in financial crisis, including those not eligible for Federal assistance, is being administered through the current provisions of Ontario Works.
https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/index.aspx
Electricity Relief
Time-of-use electricity rates will be suspended, holding prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour for 45 days. The discount will be applied automatically.
Student Loans Repayment Deferral
Six-month, interest-free, moratorium on Ontario and Canada student loan payments in the process of repaying these loans.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
Banks and Credit Unions
Customers affected can contact their bank directly to apply for deferral of loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to 6 months.
Federal support for Canadians
Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
Provides up to 15 weeks of income replacement for eligible employees who are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine (self-isolation). The one-week waiting period is waived for people in self-isolation.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html
Emergency Response Benefit
It provides a taxable benefit of $2,000/month for up to 4 months for people facing unemployment, people who are sick, quarantined or in directed self-isolation, and people who are unable to work due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
Canada Child Benefit
Eligible parents will receive $300 more per child with their May CCB.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
GST Rebate Increase
Provides low- and modest-income Canadians with a one-time special payment in May of up to $400 for single people and $600 for couples.
Extra Time to File Income Tax Returns
Filing deadlines for individuals are deferred until June 1. New tax balances due, or installments deferred to August 31 without incurring interest or penalties.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update.html
Provincial Support for Alberta Businesses
Corporate Income Tax
Balances and installment payments deferred until August 31, 2020.
WCB Premium Payment Deferral
Small, mediums and large private-sector employers can defer payments until 2021. Small and medium businesses will see the government cover 50% of the 2020 premium when it is due in 2021.
https://www.wcb.ab.ca/insurance-and-premiums/
Utility payment Deferral
Small commercial customers can defer electricity and natural gas bill payments for the next 90 days to ensure no one will be cut off, regardless of the service provider. Call your provider directly to arrange for a deferral.
https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid19-90-day-utility-deferral.pdf
Banks and Credit Unions
Business members can contact their bank directly to access additional working capital or to apply for a payment deferral of loans and lines of credit for up to 6 months.
Federal support for Business
Temporary Business Wage Subsidy
Three-month temporary subsidy for eligible small employers to avoid layoffs.
Extending the Work-Sharing Program
Extends the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 weeks to 76 weeks. Offered to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours due to developments beyond the control of their employer.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
Will provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses, through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC).
Extra Time to File Income Tax Returns
filing deadlines for businesses are deferred until after August 31, 2020. New tax balances due, or installments deferred to August 31 without incurring interest or penalties.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update.html
Mental Health Links
Mental Health Hotline
1-877-303-2642 (Toll-free) or dial 811
Provides toll-free, 24/7 telephone service, which offers help for mental health concerns for Albertans:
- confidential, anonymous service
- crisis intervention
- information about mental health programs and services
- referrals to other agencies if needed
Kids help phone
You can reach a Kids Help Phone counselor 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868 or for text and online support please visit:
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has a great FAQ, tips, coping strategies, self-assessment and resources to manage your mental health during the pandemic:
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19
Alberta Health Services
COVID-19 and your mental health printable tip sheet
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Tips available to help Canadians protect their mental health as they strive to safeguard their physical well-being and that of their loved ones:
Self Assessment- COVID-19
Anyone who has health concerns or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment.
FAQ
CREB
Who is covered by the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?
This new benefit will cover people who have lost their job, people who are sick or quarantined, and parents who must stay home without pay to care for children, the same as the two previously announced benefits. The new CERB also includes workers who have no income due to the COVID-19 slowdown, but who haven’t yet been officially laid off. It will cover employees, contract workers, and self-employed workers. To qualify, applicants must have had $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, or maternity or parental leave benefits for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day they make the application.
How much will I get?
The CERB will pay out $2,000 per month for the next 4 months, backdated to March 15th.
Where can I apply?
The application form will be available on April 6. If you have already applied for EI, you do not need to also apply for this new benefit, your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB and you will receive the 16-week benefit. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for benefits after October 3, 2020.
You can apply in one of these three ways:
- by accessing it on your CRA MyAccount secure portal;
- by accessing it from your secure My Service Canada Account; or
- by calling a toll free number equipped with an automated application process.
What if I’ve already been laid off and applied for EI?
If you’ve already applied for EI you do not need to reapply for the CERB. Your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB, and benefits paid from this program first. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for EI benefits after October 3, 2020.
What if I don’t qualify for EI?
You can qualify for the CERB if you had $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, or maternity or parental leave benefits for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day you make the application.
When will I get benefits?
The application is expected to be available on April 6. Benefits should be delivered 10 days after you submit your application form. The earliest you could receive benefits through direct deposit is April 16th (or slightly later if by mail).
What if I’m already receiving EI Benefits?
You will continue to receive your EI benefits. If your EI benefits end before October 3rd, 2020, and you are still unable to return to work, you can apply to the CERB once your EI benefits run out.
What if I continue to be sick or unemployed after October 3, 2020?
If you have enough EI insurable hours, you will still be able to access your normal EI benefits after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.
Declaration of Emergency
Where can I find the Declaration of Emergency (DOE) wording?
In personal insurance, it can be found in most property policies under “Cancellation Provision following a Declaration of Emergency” in the General Policy Conditions. The Declaration of Emergency wording does not apply to auto policies.In property and casualty SME insurance policies, it can be found under the “Policy Conditions” of the wording.
Will you extend the expiration date of the existing policy until the end of the state of emergency?
Where the Declaration of Emergency wording applies, we will not terminate the policy and/or we will renew the policy. We will continue to provide coverage in accordance with our wording.
What if a customer needs to make a claim during the period where the Declaration of Emergency wording applies?
For a claim where this wording applies, we will honour the current policy terms and conditions. If you have questions about a specific claim, please contact our claims department.
What if a customer has the wording, and they have already received a cancellation notice?
Coverage will automatically extend for those customers who have received termination notices with a cancellation date occurring after the state of emergency was declared, and within the period to which the Declaration of Emergency wording applies.
What if a customer does not want their coverage extended?
Customers who have the Declaration of Emergency wording within their policy, but who do not want to have their policy extended, should follow the existing insured’s request cancellation procedures.
Renewals
Will renewals continue to be issued?
Yes, renewals will continue to be issued. We reserve the right to make appropriate changes in renewal coverage, with proper notice to the customer.
