Covid-19 Resources and Supports for Vulnerable Calgarians
Last Updated: March 26,-2020
Financial Resources
Bank Support
BMO, CIBC, National Bank, RBC, Scotiabank, and TD offer support for Canadians impacted by Covid-19 including a 6-month payment deferral for mortgages, and opportunity for relief on other credit products.
Call your nearest Banking Branch for more information.
First Calgary Financial
“Loan payment relief is available to members for up to three months to help lessen the financial impact from business slowdown, reduced hours or layoffs. The relief extends to members, small business members and commercial members in good standing who are feeling a financial impact and are looking for a temporary relief from mortgage, line of credit, loan and car payments*”
Call your nearest First Calgary Financial Branch
Government Emergency financial assistance
Financial assistance for unexpected emergencies is available through the Emergency Needs Allowance if
A situation is caused by unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control,
it presents a severe health risk,
you cannot access other resources or wait until your next pay-cheque or Income Support benefit cheque.
You can apply for the Emergency Needs Allowance if:
you are a current Income Support client
you are an Albertan earning an income, but you do not have enough money to cover this one-time, short-term emergency that will last no longer than a month
you meet the Income Support program eligibility requirements
For general information on Income Support benefits, you can call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:
Hours: 7:30 am to 8:00 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992
Email: css.ascc@gov.ab.ca
If you aren’t receiving Income Support, you can still apply.
Visit your nearest Alberta Supports or Alberta Works Centre
Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
If you are eligible, visit the EI Sickness Benefits page to apply.
Food and Groceries
Calgary Co-op
Calgary Co-op is offering “free care packages for people who are required by a public health agency to be quarantined. The packages will contain non-perishable food essentials like canned meat, pasta sauce and juice, and will be delivered up until April 15.”
To request a care package, you can email your name, address, phone number, the start and end of your quarantine, and your closest Calgary Co-op store to memberengagement@calgarycoop.com
Kids eat free!
Click here for a list of Restaurants that allow kids to eat for free with purchase of an adult meal’
Grocery Store dedicated shopping Hours
Grocery stores have dedicated shopping hours for customers who need assistance or consideration, including seniors and people living with disabilities
Superstore: 6am to 7am on Tuesdays and Fridays. Check with your local store to confirm operating hours. Lowered prices on home-delivered goods and eliminated fees for delivery and pick up.
Loblaws, No Frills, and Sobeys: open 1 hour before regular hours
Fresh Routes
Developing a delivery system to limit social contact for vulnerable people who need access to healthy food. The mobile grocery store offers produce at a reduced cost, and will bring food straight to seniors' complexes and affordable housing units.
Contact Fresh Routes by clicking here
Brown Bagging for kids Calgary
Response Fund that will offer grocery gift card funding directly to the families as a temporary solution.
Contact Brown Bagging Here for more information
Calgary Food Bank
Drive-thru distribution is being rolled out on Thursday so there is less contact between staff and clients while at the building, located at 5000 – 11 Street S.E
Sign up to receive a hamper at 403-253-2055
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Helps economically-vulnerable people with emergency food hampers and assistance meeting basic needs.
Email: ssvp.cdcc.president@outlook.com Call: 403-250-0319
Tuxedo Park Community
A dedicated group of volunteers will drop off groceries and anything needed every day between 1 and 5 PM.
Email adam@freshstartrecovery.ca, or call 587-999-6616 for inquiries.
Mental Health
The Distress Centre
Provides counseling and support services. Call 403- 266-4357
Canadian Mental Health Association
Peer Support service through email and phone. phone 403-297-1402 or email peer@cmha.calgary.ab.ca
Virus Anxiety
Online tools and resources for dealing with anxiety and mental health in this global climate
Visit: www.virusanxiety.com
Digital Resources for Mental Health
Online directory of resources for support in various aspects of mental health and well-being.
Visit: www.socialworklicensemap.com/social-work-resources/mental-health-resources-list/
Other
Calgary Facebook Group
Over 2.500 people have joined a Facebook group to find ways to help each other, from people offering to deliver supplies to strangers to shovelling their sidewalks. If you are in need of anything, individuals in your area can see your post and help out.
Join by visiting the facebook page here.
Shaw Communications
Shaw announced it will open up its more than 100,000 WiFi hotspots across Canada for free to the public to help people stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic.
The company also gave its TV customers access to free channels, including news and children's TV, to help families stay informed and entertained if they are self-isolating or quarantined.
Call Shaw customer service
A list of hotspot locations is available on the company's website
Scholastics
Scholastic has set up a free “learn at home” website with four categories: pre-K to grades 6 and up. Each section has one week of content for students with 15 additional days coming soon.
You can visit the website by clicking here.
Calgary Public Library
No fines are being accrued on any overdue item and all due dates have been extended until April 30, 2020.
See Library Resources that can be accessed from home
Legal Support
Calgary Legal Guidance is a nonprofit organization providing free, confidential legal assistance, information, and advocacy to vulnerable Calgarians. Staff and volunteer lawyers provide advice, representation, advocacy and support to people experiencing poverty in Calgary and who do not qualify for Legal Aid. CLG offers many public presentations on a variety of legal topics affecting Calgarians.
During this challenging time of the COVID-19, CLG will continue to provide up to date, relevant legal information to Calgarians who are impacted by COVID-19, including changes to social benefits, employment, and tenancy legislation, as well as advice and support for victims of domestic violence. Calgary Legal Guidance will maintain up to date public legal education sessions and information posted at www.clg.ab.ca and on its social media accounts. Calgarians seeking legal advice during this difficult time are asked to call the CLG Intake line at (403) 234-9266.
Get Involved
Help your neighbours
Crescent Heights community association has a printable flyer you can post in your building to offer support to your neighbours.
Distribute flyers
Inglewood Community Association is looking for volunteers to deliver flyers sharing support information
View post for more information.
Calgary Facebook Group
2,500 people have joined a Facebook group to find ways to help each other, from people offering to deliver supplies to strangers to shovelling their sidewalks.
Join by visiting the facebook page