Infographic of COVID-19 Government Benefits for BC photographers

Summary of COVID-19 government support benefits: a guide for BC photographers

April 24 update 1: CERB recipients are allowed to earn up to $1000/month in employment income and still be eligible
April 24 update 2: BC Emergency Benefit for Workers info has been updated. Applications will open on May 1, 2020. Benefit is a one-time $1000 payment for those who are eligible to receive CERB
April 14 update: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and BC Temporary Rent Supplement applications are now open.

Sadly, COVID-19 has had a huge negative impact on the photography industry with few, if any photoshoots taking place. This situation is not expected to resolve itself over the short-term. The following article details the COVID-19 government support initiatives which are most relevant to BC based photographers.

Photographers are encouraged to apply for as many of these COVID-19 government benefit programs as possible. Note that to receive many of these COVID-19 government benefits photographers must have filed their 2019 tax return, even if no tax is due. The deadline for tax filing has been deferred until June 1, 2020 but it is recommended to file as soon as possible to receive these benefits quicker. Taxes may be filed using free online services such as SimpleTax. For other free options view the discussion here.

The Canadian government has announced the following COVID-19 benefits. For more details click here:

Child Tax Benefit:

GST Credit:

Deferred Tax Filing:

Deferred Mortgage Payments:

When speaking to your financial institution make sure you get any mortgage assistance arrangement sent to you in writing. At the very least write down the date, name and contact details of who you are speaking with. Failure to do this may negatively affect your credit rating as your financial institution may ‘forget’ to inform the rating agencies. Credit ratings may be checked for free at Equifax and Transunion.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): 

Moratorium on Canada Student Loan Interest

The British Columbia government has announced the following COVID-19 benefits. For more details click here:

Emergency Benefit for Workers: more info

Climate Action Tax Credit:

BC Student Loans:

BC Hydro: 

ICBC: 

Housing: details

Temporary Rent Supplement: 

Halting Evictions

Freezing Rent Increases: 

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