COVID-19 Financial Relief for American & Canadian Child Care Providers
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted child care providers all across the world, with centers either being required to close or parents withholding their children as a precaution. This has been devastating for centers, who are not receiving the funding they need in order to stay in operation once the crisis has passed.
We have compiled this guide for American and Canadian child care providers to find financial relief that may apply to their businesses. Please take a close look at the resources provided here to see if your center can benefit from what is currently being provided by your state/provincial or federal government.
Since this is a developing situation and new information is being provided every day, we will aim to keep this page up-to-date as we discover new relief opportunities that are available. If you have discovered anything that has not been included, please share in the comments below and we will add them to this post.
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United States
Canada
United States
Federal Programs
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The U.S. Small Business Administration details $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses, including:
- Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program. Click here to see the 2021 updates to the program!
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Loan Advance, which provides up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.
- Express Bridge Loans, which allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access a loan of up to $25,000 quickly.
- SBA debt relief, providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the SBA automatically paying the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a), 504, and microloans for a period of six months, and automatically paying the principal, interest, and fees of new 7(a), 504, and microloans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
State Programs
Alabama
Small businesses are being urged to prepare to seek federal assistance.
Alaska
Alaska’s COVID-19 Resource Center provides additional information on support being provided by the CARES Act.
Arizona
According to the Governor of Arizona’s website:
- Banks are suspending evictions and foreclosures for at least 60 days, with the potential to extend that period for the duration of the state’s emergency declaration.
- Banks are committed to expediting the application and approval of small business loans as part of the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program passed by Congress.
- The Government is securing a cooperative agreement with the state’s largest electric utilities to continue to provide reliable electricity to homes, hospitals, and businesses while making sure that Arizona residents facing financial difficulties will have choice, assistance, and reliable access to electricity.
Arkansas
A $12 million Quick Action Loan Program has been established to provide eligible companies with a loan or loan guarantee of up to $250,000.
The Arkansas Community Foundation has established a statewide COVID-19 Relief Fund, collecting donations from the public that nonprofits can apply for.
California
The California Coronavirus Response is providing the following assistance to businesses and employers:
- Small business interest free deferral of sales/use tax up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales.
- 90-day extension on all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes
- California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program (via IBank), with $50 million in state funding, providing potential capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds.
Colorado
The state government has set up Help Colorado Now, which is accepting donations and applications for community-based organizations to receive a general operating grant of up to $25,000.
Connecticut
The government of Connecticut’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Business Resources page has outlined the following assistance:
- The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources. A dedicated phone line is available at 860-500-2333 to provide assistance to Connecticut’s small businesses for this purpose.
- The Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program is providing businesses and nonprofits that have fewer than 100 employees with zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 or three months of operating expenses (whichever is lesser), being offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications were closed on March 27, 2020, but check frequently to see if they are open again.
- The Department of Revenue Services has extended deadlines for filing and payments associated with certain state business tax returns.
- Employers who are furloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared work program, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and have those wages supplemented with unemployment insurance.
Delaware
The Delaware Division of Small Business has created the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program to provide no-interest loans of up to $10,000 per business per month to eligible businesses in the hospitality industry, however, child care is not on the list of sectors being supported.
District of Columbia
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Verizon are teaming up for a small business recovery fund to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses affected by COVID-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital.
The Community Foundation established the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support local nonprofits leading emergency preparedness and response efforts to help mitigate the impact on disproportionately affected communities.
The DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants program is no longer accepting applications at the time of this writing, but be sure to check back frequently to see if a new round of applications has been opened.
Florida
The Florida Department of Health has detailed that during an unexpected school closure, schools can leverage their participation in one of USDA’s summer meal programs to provide meals at no cost to students. Under normal circumstances, those meals must be served in a group setting. However, in a public health emergency, the law allows USDA the authority to waive the group setting meal requirement.
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is offering short-term, interest-free working capital loans intended to ‘bridge the gap’ between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance. Applications will be accepted by qualified for-profit, privately held small businesses that maintain a place of business in the state of Florida, providing up to $50,000 (or up to $100,000 in special cases) for a 1 year term. After 1 year, a 12% per annum interest rate will be applied.
Georgia
The maximum benefit available for the Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been increased for March and April.
Hawaii
Businesses are encouraged to utilize the assistance being provided by the federal CARES act.
Idaho
Businesses are encouraged to utilize the assistance being provided at the federal level.
Illinois
The State of Illinois is providing the following resources for businesses:
- The Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund is providing low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019. Successful applicants will owe nothing for six months and will then begin making fixed payments at 3% interest for the remainder of a five-year loan term.
- The Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program is supporting small businesses in suburban and rural counties across Illinois, providing grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses in communities served by DCEO’s Office of Community Development.
- Beginning Saturday, March 21st at 5pm CST, licensed childcare centers and all childcare homes serving more than six children will be closed. The administration is working to expand the availability of childcare in small group sizes for essential workers through a newly available Emergency Child Care Center license.
Indiana
Businesses are being encouraged to utilize the assistance being provided by the CARES act.
Iowa
The Iowa Economic Development website has outlined the following relief efforts:
- The Iowa Small Business Relief Fund application period closed on March 31, 2020, and applicants are currently being reviewed with decisions expected to be made within two weeks.
- Applications are being accepted for the deferral of the eligible taxes and waiver of penalty and interest.
- A fund has been created to support Targeted Small Businesses (TSB) with zero employees that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kansas
Businesses are encouraged to utilize the federal CARES act.
Kentucky
The Louisville Small Business Resources COVID-19 site outlines the following relief efforts:
- Louisville businesses can apply for the Small Business Continuity Loan Program, which is providing zero-interest loans of up to $25,000, with no payments for 12 months, to businesses with 10 full-time employees or fewer impacted by COVID-19.
- Individuals typically not covered by unemployment insurance, including self-employed, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers, childcare workers employed by religious affiliated organizations and non-profits can now file for unemployment. Those who left their job for “good cause” because of reasonable risk of exposure (self-quarantine) or due to caring for a family member affected by the virus are also eligible.
- The Kentucky Department of Revenue have extended tax filing and payment deadlines from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Economic Development’s COVID-19 Assistance website encourages businesses to utilize the federal assistance programs being offered.
Maine
The Department of Economic & Community Development has published a Resources for Maine Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic document, which outlines:
- The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) will approve any OLA loan that comes through deemed “COVID-19” at a 50% insurance rate.
- When a borrower cannot obtain a loan from a lending partner, a decreased interest rate and decreased fees schedule will be offered through a FAME direct loan.
- While the Small Business Association disaster relief loans take 3 to 4 weeks to fund, FAME could essentially prefund their loan to get funds to Maine businesses sooner.
- The State of Maine Loan Guarantee Fund will guarantee loans to individuals made by banks and credit unions.
Maryland
The Maryland Department of Commerce is offering the following assistance:
- The Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund, a $75 million loan fund that offers no interest or principal payments due for the first 12 months, then converts to a 36-month term loan of principal and interest payments, with an interest rate at 2% per annum.
- The Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund, a $50 million grant program that offers grant amounts up to $10,000, not to exceed 3 months of demonstrated cash operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020.
- Maryland business and individual income taxpayers will be given a 90-day extension for tax payments. No interest or penalty for late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020.
- Comptroller Franchot also extended business-related tax filing deadlines to June 1.
- Businesses who paid their Maryland Sales & Use Taxes for March early may request a refund of their payment.
- The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) automatically extended the 2020 deadline to submit Annual Reports and Personal Property Tax Returns to July 15 as part of the Hogan administration’s response to COVID-19.
- All licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations issued by the state, its agencies or any political subdivision that would expire during the current state of emergency will be extended until at least the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted.
Massachusetts
In addition to the federal programs available, the Massachusetts government has announced that they have postponed the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May so that they will instead be due on June 20. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.
Michigan
The Michigan Small Business Relief Program is providing grants administered by 15 local and nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs).
Minnesota
The government of Minnesota is providing:
- The Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program, providing loans of $2,500-$35,000 at a 0% interest rate.
- The Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program is providing an 80% loan guarantee for loans up to $250,000 made by a qualified economic development lender within this program, to incent the private market to make loans to small businesses and provides the guarantee for those loan dollars.
- The Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program, which allows employers to divide available hours of work among a group of employees instead of implementing a full layoff. These employees may then receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Small Business Development Center is encouraging businesses to utilize relief programs being provided at the federal level.
Missouri
The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services is encouraging local businesses to take advantages of the federal relief programs available.
Montana
According to the Montana Employer Frequently Asked Questions:
- In the event of a business owner closing their business for the next few months, they may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits if the business operated as a corporation or an LLC filing as a corporation, and the business reported wages for the owner as a corporate officer; however, if the owner of the business is a sole-proprietor, partner, or LLC member whose LLC files as a partnership, those entities are not subject to UI and the owner would not eligible for UI benefits.
- Self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and those who are generally not otherwise covered by unemployment insurance and are unable to work due to the COVID emergency are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the federal legislation, known as the CARES Act.
Nebraska
Nebraska businesses are encouraged to utilize the federal business assistance programs that are currently available.
Nevada
U.S. Senator for Nevada, Jacky Rosen, has published the COVID-19 Nevada Small Business Resource Guide, which lists federal programs for small businesses to utilize and also indicates that the work search requirement and 7-day waiting period for unemployment insurance is being waived.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is accepting applications from child care providers seeking designation as emergency child care programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child care programs will be eligible to apply for incentive payments, including funding to support pay differentials for staff, child care costs for child care professionals, and other operating costs to support an emergency child care system.
New Jersey
According to the New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub, the state income tax filing deadline and the corporation business tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15 to July 15.
The government has also published a number of FAQ articles, including this article for business financial support programs, which includes:
- The Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program is a $5 million program providing grants up to $5,000 to small businesses in retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, and other services – such as repair, maintenance, personal, and laundry services.
- The Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program is a $10 million program providing working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million in revenues. Loans made through the program will have ten-year terms with zero percent for the first five years, then resetting to the EDA’s prevailing floor rate (capped at 3.00%) for the remaining five years.
- The Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) Emergency Loan Loss Reserve Fund is a $10 million capital reserve fund to take a first loss position on CDFI loans that provide low interest working capital to micro businesses. This will allow CDFIs to withstand loan defaults due to the outbreak, which will allow them to provide more loans at lower interest rates to microbusinesses affected by the outbreak.
- The NJ Entrepreneur Support Program is a $5 million program that will encourage continued capital flows to new companies, often in the innovation economy, and temporarily support a shaky market by providing 80 percent loan guarantees for working capital loans to entrepreneurs.
- The Small Business Emergency Assistance Guarantee Program is a $10 million program that will provide 50 percent guarantees on working capital loans and waive fees on loans made through institutions participating in the NJEDA’s existing Premier Lender or Premier CDFI programs.
New Mexico
According to the State of New Mexico’s Temporary Changes Affecting Child Care and Pre-K Providers page:
- Child care providers are encouraged to stay open. If a center chooses to close, child care payments will continue and the state will pay a differential of $250 per child for all children enrolled.
- The state will also provide waivers to programs licensed at 3 STAR or above who want to open additional sites during this period.
The state has also extended the deadline for 2019 corporate income taxes until July 15. In addition, the state is extending deadlines for employers to remit withholding taxes.
New York
According to the Empire State Development Novel Coronavirus FAQ for Businesses, the state is currently assessing options to mitigate hardships to businesses, but is encouraging businesses to utilize assistance being provided at the federal level by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
North Carolina
The North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program is offering loans for up to $50,000, based on the business’s current revenue.
- Loan sizes capped at approximately two months of current revenue.
- Six months of no interest and no payments, followed by 48 months of principal and interest payments at 5.5% interest.
- Interest will begin to accrue on any unpaid balance at the beginning of the seventh month.
- There are no prepayment penalties.
North Dakota
The size and scope of unemployment benefits for qualified, laid-off individuals is expanded due to COVID-19 to add a $600 per week payment to existing unemployment insurance amounts through the end of July. This $600 is in addition to the existing weekly state unemployment benefit. Unemployment insurance has been expanded to cover self-employed, gig workers and contractors who do not usually qualify for unemployment benefits. In some cases, small businesses owners now will qualify for unemployment benefits.
The Paid Leave Families First Response Act includes a refundable payroll tax credit for the paid leave to help employers pay leave requirements. Business owners can take a payroll tax credit each quarter that equals 100% of the paid sick leave or paid family wages they must pay out. The tax credit is put up against the employer’s portion of Social Security taxes.
Ohio
According to the Ohio Department of Health’s Resources for Economic Support website:
- Publicly-funded daycares have increased from 10 to 20 the number of paid absent days for providers serving children in the Publicly Funded Child Care program, and it provides child care programs with 21 paid pandemic days if they must close their programs because of the pandemic.
- The Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is allowing for the deferment of insurance premium installment payments for March, April and May until June 1, 2020.
- All health insurers are required to provide the option of deferring premium payments, interest free, for up to 60 calendar days from each original premium due date.
- Landlords have been requested to suspend, for at least 90 days, rent payments for small business commercial tenants facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oklahoma
The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma has created the Coronavirus Disaster Relief Fund, which is deploying resources to community-based organizations on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak and related community needs. Donations will be used to provide support for organizations including nonprofit regional health organizations, government entities, nonprofit organizations, churches and schools that work with people and communities affected by the current disaster.
For businesses in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation has created the 2020 Disaster Relief Fund that is accepting donations to provide dollars for immediate needs to those seeking medical access, basic needs as well as provide help for aging citizens.
Oregon
Business Oregon has created the Coronavirus Small Business Resource Navigator, which is providing:
- Loan modifications for direct loan programs administered by Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development Fund, Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund, Oregon Royalty Fund) that defer payments and interest, with no fees.
- Loan modifications for the Business Oregon loan guarantee and loan loss reserve programs (Credit Enhancement Fund, Capital Access Program).
- Forgiveness of existing loans through Business Oregon to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), to strengthen the CDFIs’ financial position and ability to continue small business lending.
- Creation of the “Small Business Stabilization Fund” within the Oregon Community Foundation with initial contribution of $700,000 from the Oregon Growth Fund. This fund will include capital from additional sources to leverage and deploy to intermediary organizations around the state to put money in the hands of small businesses.
- $300 Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction to support non-profits: for tax year starting in 2020, an individual taxpayer who does not itemize is permitted to claim up to $300 in qualified charitable contributions.
Pennsylvania
The COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program has been created, however is no longer accepting applications because the funding has been exhausted.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development:
- Offers working capital loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19.
- Has stated that businesses who are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 will be granted Relief From Charges, and their tax rates will not be increased because of COVID-19-related claims.
- Offers Rapid Response Services to provide consultation on available resources for employees and businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Rhode Island
The Business Recovery Plan is in development to provide supervised protections for Rhode Island businesses so they can remain operational, access new working capital, and pay debts.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Commerce’s COVID-19 Business Resources page encourages businesses to utilize federal programs that are now available.
South Dakota
The Small Business Relief Fund is providing eligible small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 with a 0% interest loan of $5,000-$75,000 with no payments for the initial 6 months and a maximum term of 60 months.
Tennessee
The COVID-19 Small Business Resources website is encouraging businesses to utilize available programs offered at the federal level.
The Emergency Cash Assistance program has been created to help families who have lost a job or at least 50% of their earned income due to COVID-19. Funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, it is providing $500 for a household of 1 to 2 persons, $750 for a household of 3 to 4 persons and $1,000 for a household with 5 or more persons to households that do not have resources exceeding $2,000 and whose gross monthly income does not 3xceed 85% of the State’s Median Income.
Texas
The Texas Business Resources website is encouraging businesses to utilize the relief programs being offered at the federal level.
Utah
The Small Business Bridge Loan Program, provided by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, is offering a bridge loan to Utah-based small businesses with 50 or fewer employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000 with 0% interest for up to a 60-month period. Loan amounts shall not exceed three months of demonstrated operating expenses. Loan payments are deferred for 12 months. GOED will use a minimum of 25% of the funding for rural Utah businesses.
Child care providers are also able to apply for an Operations Grant from the Utah Office of Child Care (OCC), which will be up to as much as 75% of the difference between the one month average of your January 2020 and February 2020 monthly tuition income, and all Workforce Services-issued or obligated child care subsidy payments on the date the funding amount is calculated by OCC.
For businesses in Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City Emergency Loan Program for Businesses is offering loans of up to $20,000 with 0% interest for a 5 year term.
Vermont
The COVID-19 Recovery Resource Center is encouraging businesses to utilize programs available at the federal level.
Virginia
According to the Coronavirus Support for Businesses website:
- Regional workforce teams will be activated to support employers that slow or cease operations. Employers who do slow or cease operations will not be financially penalized for an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits.
- The Governor is authorizing rapid response funding, through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, for employers eligible to remain open during this emergency. Funds may be used to clean facilities and support emergency needs.
- Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can also request to defer the payment of state sales tax due March 20, 2020 for 30 days without penalty.
Washington
At the state level, the Washington government’s Coronavirus website is encouraging businesses to utilize programs being offered at the federal level.
The City of Seattle is committing approximately $2.5 million in Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the Small Business Stabilization Fund, an emergency fund that provides working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses that have five employees or less. Additionally, an emergency order has been signed to temporarily halt evictions of small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
West Virginia
The West Virginia Development Office is encouraging businesses to utilize federal relief programs, and also offer resources to help businesses find financing options, assist with financial projections, cash flow statements, loan structuring, provide a credit analysis, and guide you through the loan packaging process.
Wisconsin
The Small Business 20/20 Program is providing grant funds to approved community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Approved CDFIs will award grants of up to $20,000 to their existing loan clients to assist with cash-flow challenges resulting from COVID-19.
Wyoming
The COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses is encouraging businesses to utilize the available federal relief programs, and is also providing free virtual consultations to advise businesses on resources that are available.
Canada
Federal Programs
The Government of Canada has announced Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which includes:
For families:
- An extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit for 2019-2020 (approximately $550 more for the average family).
- A one-time special payment starting April 9 through the Goods and Services Tax credit for low- and modest-income families. The average additional benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.
- For individuals (other than trusts), the return filing due date for income tax returns will be deferred until June 1, 2020.
- The Canada Emergency Response Benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.
- $7.5 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time.
For businesses:
- The Work-Sharing program’s maximum duration has been extended from 38 weeks to 76 weeks, and is offered to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hours because of developments beyond the control of their employers.
- The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy has been proposed, which would cover 75 percent of salaries for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. Organizations that do not qualify may qualify for a wage subsidy of 10 percent of remuneration paid from March 18 to before June 20, 2020.
- The Business Credit Availability Program has been established to provide $40 billion of additional support through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). This includes new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25 million to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a co-lending program with incremental credit amounts of up to $6.25 million.
- The new Canada Emergency Business Account will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced. To qualify, these organizations will need to demonstrate they paid between $50,000 to $1 million in total payroll in 2019.
- Businesses can defer until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.
- Businesses, including self-employed individuals, to defer until June 30, 2020 payments of the Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST), as well as customs duties owing on their imports.
Programs for Provinces & Territories
Alberta
According to the Alberta government’s website:
- Corporate income tax balances and instalment payments due between March 18, 2020 and August 31, 2020 are deferred until August 31, 2020.
- Due dates for the filing of corporate income tax returns due after March 18, 2020 and before June 1, 2020 have been extended to June 1, 2020.
- Education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s level.
- Collection of non-residential education property tax for businesses will be deferred for 6 months.
- Residential, farm and 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.
British Columbia
The COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information page provides the following assistance:
Providers that stay open:
- Can receive seven times their average monthly government funding, covering approximately 75% of its average monthly operating expenses.
- Will continue to receive Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative payments.
- Will continue to receive Early Childhood Educator wage enhancements for their staff.
Providers that close:
- Are eligible to receive two times their average monthly government funding, covering approximately 20% of their average monthly operating expenses.
Providers that get funding:
- Must not charge a parent fee while closed.
- Must ensure spaces are reserved once the pandemic passes for families that were receiving care prior to the pandemic and chose to temporarily withdraw their child due to COVID-19 concerns.
- Must make every effort to provide inclusive child care programming, including for children with extra support needs.
According to the COVID-19 Updates: Provincial Tax & Revenue Changes page:
- The employer health tax and sales tax payments are deferred until September 30, 2020.
- School tax rates for commercial properties (Classes 4, 5 and 6) will be reduced by 50% for the 2020 tax year.
Manitoba
The government of Manitoba’s COVID-19 Information for Businesses, Workplaces and Employees page offers the following relief:
- The April and May tax filing deadlines until June 22, 2020 for small and medium businesses with monthly RST remittances of no more than $10,000. Additionally, businesses that file on a quarterly basis that have a due date of April 20, 2020 have had the due date extended to June 22, 2020.
New Brunswick
According to the COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses page:
- Business property taxes are still due on May 31, 2020, but late penalties will be waived on a case-by-case basis for those experiencing undue financial challenges due to COVID-19.
- The Government of New Brunswick will defer loan and interest repayments for up to six months on existing provincial loans on a case-by-case basis.
- Small business loans of up to $200,000 will be provided (more details to come).
- Working capital in excess of $200,000 will be made upon request to help large employers manage the impacts of COVID-19.
Newfoundland & Labrador
The provincial government announced on March 14, 2020 that private-sector employers will be compensated to ensure employees can be paid during the pandemic, although more details still to come.
Nunavut
No financial assistance relating to COVID-19 has been announced yet.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories COVID-19 Economic Relief announcement details:
- BDIC is offering low interest loans to businesses to help offset up to one month of COVID-19 impacts.
- BDIC loan payments can be deferred for a period of up to three cumulative months, between April 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020, with no penalty or additional interest charges.
- Non-government organizations, Indigenous Governments, and Community Governments with unused contribution amounts in 2019-20 to use these funds in 2020-21.
- Small businesses and individuals can access cash flow more quickly by shortening the payment terms on GNWT invoices so that they are paid out as soon as possible.
- The due date for Employer Assessment Payments has been extended from April 1 to May 1, 2020.
- Most collections efforts have been paused, including:
- Outside collection agency activity
- GNWT set-offs on GNWT payments
- GNWT set-offs on Canada Revenue Agency tax refunds
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia COVID-19 plan includes:
- Every individual and family member on income assistance will receive an additional $50 starting Friday, 20 March.
- Landlords of small and medium-sized commercial tenants are encouraged to defer rent payments for 3 months, spreading the deferred rent amount over the rest of the lease term. Landlords with tenants who are closed due to the Health Protection Act order may be eligible for coverage (up to a maximum of $50,000 per landlord and $15,000 per tenant) if they can’t recover the deferred rent.
- A one-time payment of $1,000 will be provided through the Worker Emergency Bridge Fund for self-employed people and laid-off workers who don’t qualify for Employment Insurance.
- Through the Small Business Impact Grant, eligible small businesses and social enterprises will receive a grant of 15 per cent of their revenue from sales, either from April 2019 or February 2020, up to a maximum of $5,000.
- Payments will be deferred until June 30 for all government loans, including those under the Farm Loan Board, Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Business Fund, Municipal Finance Corp. and Housing Nova Scotia.
- Payments will be deferred until June 30 for small business renewal fees, including business registration renewal fees and workers compensation premiums.
- Changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through credit unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30, enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000, and for those who might not qualify for a loan, government will guarantee the first $100,000.
- Small businesses which do business with the government will be paid within five days instead of the standard 30 days.
Ontario
Ontario has announced Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19, which offers $17 Billion in support. Relief applicable to child care providers includes:
- Helping families pay for extra costs associated with school and daycare closures during the COVID‑19 outbreak by providing a one-time $200 payment per child up to 12 years of age, and $250 for those with special needs including kids enrolled in private schools.
- Cutting taxes by $355 million for about 57,000 employers through a proposed temporary increase to the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption.”
- Providing a five-month interest and penalty-free period to make payments for the majority of provincially administered taxes.
- Deferring the upcoming quarterly (June 30) remittance of education property tax to school boards by 90 days.
- Providing $1.9 billion in new financial relief by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) allowing employers to defer payments for a period of six months.
- Committing $100 million in funding through Employment Ontario for skills training programs for workers affected by the COVID‑19 outbreak.
Prince Edward Island
$750 will be provided between a layoff and the first federal benefit payments.
A maximum of $250 per week will be provided for each employed worker who has been impacted by reduced hours at work as a result of COVID-19.
A maximum of $500 per week has been provided between March 16 to March 29, 2020 (date will be reviewed as required) for self-employed people who have been significantly affected by COVID-19.
Quebec
Revenue Quebec has published its Relief Measures for Individuals and Businesses, which includes allows for “instalments and income tax balances that would have been due in the period between March 17, 2020, and August 31, 2020, are now payable by September 1, 2020.”
Saskatchewan
According to the government of Saskatchewan’s Support for Businesses page:
- Businesses who are unable to remit their PST due to cashflow concerns will have three-month relief from penalty and interest charges.
- Businesses that are unable to file their provincial tax return(s) by the due date may submit a request for relief from penalty and interest charges on the return(s) affected.
- Audit program and compliance activities have been suspended to allow businesses time to focus on the health and safety of their customers and staff, reduce impacts to their business operations, and minimize the spread of the virus through reduced audit travel.
- All Crown utilities will implement bill-deferral programs allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months for Saskatchewan customers whose ability to make bill payments may be impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.
- Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is waiving premium penalties for employers effective April 1 until June 30, 2020.
Yukon
The Paid Sick Leave Rebate supports Yukon workers and self-employed people who are required to stay at home without paid sick leave. The maximum daiy rebate is $378.13 per day per employee, covering a maximum total of 10 days of wages per employee (not including benefits, payroll taxes or deductions) to allow for sick leave and/or for a 14-day self-isolation period. These paid sick leave days will apply only after all existing regular paid sick leave for the employee is used.
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Michael writes for HiMama's early childhood education blog and ECE Weekly newsletter. When not developing content for early childhood professionals, he can usually be found out and about with his wife and daughter exploring all that Toronto has to offer, or playing music with his karaoke band.
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