The one-time emergency allowance distributed as part of the NWT COVID-19 relief package should be in residents’ bank accounts soon says Education, Culture and Employment Minister R.J. Simpson.
Simpson spoke with CKLB Radio on Thursday, April 2nd about the one-time emergency allowance.
Residents who qualify will get $500 for a single recipient, or $1,000 for households with two or more people. Simpson said the funds are being automatically distributed.
Income assistance is a way to help residents who can’t make ends meet when they’ve exhausted other options such as employment insurance.
“It’s tough times right now,” Simpson said.
The one-time emergency allowance is part of the second wave of funding announced by the GNWT this week which totaled $8.6 million. The funds are in addition to the $13.2 million relief package announced earlier this month by the government
In addition, there are some temporary changes being implemented to the income assistance by the GNWT.
Gifts or unearned income have been exempted from calculations until June 30th.
This change allows residents who qualify for income assistance to receive funds for on-the-land activities provided by their Indigenous government or other COVID-related assistance Minister Simpson explained.
For those who do not qualify for territorial income assistance, Minister Simpson encouraged them to look into federal benefit programs.
For example, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides a payment of $2,000 for a four week period (equivalent to $500 a week) for up to 16 weeks to help employed and self-employed Canadians who have been directly affected by COVID-19.
For more information on income assistance in the NWT click here.
arthur.green@cklbradio.com
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