Government of Canada announces online tool, "Find financial help during COVID-19" to assist Canadians in accessing financial support
May 22, 2020, 11:42 ET
OTTAWA, May 22, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to getting benefits into the hands of Canadians impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic quickly and effectively.
Today, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government, announced a web-based benefits finder tool, "Find financial help during COVID-19", on canada.ca/coronavirusbenefits, to help people living in Canada determine which government benefits programs best meet their needs.
"Find financial help during COVID-19" was developed by the Canadian Digital Service, together with partners at Employment and Social Development Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency, and is part of a suite of online tools and resources the government has made available to help Canadians navigate this crisis with confidence.
By answering a few simple questions, individuals will be presented with a personalized list of financial benefits that could be available to them, based on their specific circumstances.
The tool provides individuals with information on federal, provincial and territorial benefits programs available to them, including the just-launched Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), and the Canada Child Benefit top-up, as well as measures such as mortgage and student loan deferrals. It will be updated as needed as the government continues to support Canadians during this challenging time.
Guided by a set of digital principles, this tool was designed for, and with, Canadians to ensure they can get the accurate and timely information they need, now.
Quotes
"During this time of uncertainty, it is now more important than ever that our government be responsive to the needs of Canadians. Digital government's innovative tool, "Find financial help during COVID-19," ensures Canadians can get accurate and secure information about the range of federal programs they can access, to get the help they need as quickly and easily as possible."
- Minister of Digital Government, the Honourable Joyce Murray
"We will continue to take action to support Canadian families facing hardship during this extraordinary time. This new digital tool will ensure COVID-19 emergency benefits are delivered quickly and efficiently. Canadians and their families will get the money they need when they need it."
- Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen
"As the pandemic continues to evolve, the Government remains fully committed to supporting all Canadians during this difficult time. The Benefits Finder is an important tool that will help guide Canadians straight to the benefits that are available to them. Through important measures like these, we will continue to do what it takes to make sure all Canadians are getting the support they need as quickly and efficiently as possible."
- Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough
"The government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians receive the benefits and credits they are entitled to in order to make ends meet. This new benefits finder tool will help Canadians quickly obtain a complete list of all the benefits unique to their situation. This information will help people apply for benefit payments at a time when they need them the most."
- Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier
Quick Facts
- This web-based tool was built in line with the Government of Canada Digital Standards, as an open-source tool, designed with the people who need it most.
- The tool will continuously be updated as new government benefits programs are announced.
- The source code for this and other open source digital tools can be found on Open Call, the Government of Canada's curated catalogue of free, open source tools available to help teams from all levels of government serve their communities during COVID-19.
Related Products
Associated Links
- "Notify" notification and information-sharing system
- Information on COVID-19
- Canadian Digital Service
Stay connected
Twitter: @DigitalCDN
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbs-sct/
SOURCE Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
For further information: Contacts (media): Sarah McMaster, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister for Digital Government, 613-943-8222; Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Telephone: 613-369-9400, Toll-free: 1-855-TBS-9-SCT (1-855-827-9728), TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 613-369-9371, Email: [email protected]
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