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Financial and social support

Financial Support for Individuals

Employment Insurance (EI) Program

The Government of Canada has made temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians who need financial assistance. As of September 27, 2020, the minimum benefit rate for EI regular claimants is $500 per week before taxes in most cases.

Application: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

If you do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) you may be able to access the following:

  • Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
  • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The CRB provides $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) per week for up to 38 weeks for workers who:

  • are not employed or self-employed for reasons related to COVID-19  or have had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19
  • are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI)
  • meet all the eligibility criteria for period they're applying for

Application: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

The CRSB provides $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) per week for up to a maximum of four weeks, for workers who:

  • Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
  • Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
  • Have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

Application: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

The CRCB provides $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for up to 38 weeks per household for workers:

  • unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
  • because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.

Application: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html

 

Social Support for Individuals

Community Meal - Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre

Provides a takeout meal to anyone who visits the facility between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Call 867-979-4863 for more information.
Availability is not guaranteed and operates on a first come first serve basis. 

 

Health Food Box - Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre

Provides boxes of fresh produce, bread, eggs and country food to the public on a sliding scale. A membership is required and can be completed via this link: https://membership-can.keela.co/qcfc-membership.  
Call 867-979-4863 or email order@qajuqturvik.ca. Boxes need to be reserved a week in advance by contacting QCFC. 

 

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Group - Iqaluit Mental Health and Addictions, Government of Nunavut Department of Health

Teleconference group, Tuesdays, May 18-June 15, 2-4pm EST

This is a 5-session psychoeducational group designed to give you the basics of CBT, which includes skills you can use in your everyday life to help reduce the symptoms and impacts of depression, anxiety, and stress. Although the skills are relevant to anyone struggling with these concerns, this particular group will include examples around managing stress and anxiety around the Covid-19 pandemic. This group is psychoeducational, meaning that the focus is on skills, as opposed to a support group, which is more about sharing individual experiences. Although this group will be about learning skills and will have a facilitator to teach them, group participation in discussion will be encouraged.

For more information or to register, contact Iqaluit Mental Health intake at 975-5999 or by email at IqaluitMHintake@gov.nu.ca 

 

Mental Health Counselling - Iqaluit Mental Health and Addictions 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Iqaluit, Iqaluit Mental Health and Addictions (Youth Wellness Team and Greenstone) are shifting their services to telephone or virtual sessions. Appointments are usually made for the same day and are first-come first-serve.

Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. To make an appointment, call 975-5900.

 

Shelter - Qimaavik Women shelter

Qimaavik is a 26 bed shelter for women and their children fleeing violence. Women can call 979-4500 for assessment, support, safety planning and/or  to access the family violence shelter. 

Sivummut is a 12 bed shelter for women and children who have no safe place to live. Women can call 979-2700 to discuss whether the shelter is an option for them. 

Both shelters continue to offer support and advocacy to families in need. 

 

Program - Inuktitut counselling Services 

Tukisigiarvik Society 

Activities will include: individual, couples and family counselling; healing workshops on topics such as grief and loss counselling, anger management, personal empowerment, types of abuse and ending the cycle of abuse; training in Inuit cultural skills; and programs to provide training in family and life skills. Inuit Male and  Female 

All counselors are available by telephone counseling. 

ProgramCoordinator/Contact Person: Elisapi Aningmiuq-867-223-2200.

 

Foodbank - Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Foodbank

Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Foodbank is a community foodbank that supply a variety of free non-perishable and perishable staple foods that serves every second Saturday at building 655.

Open 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on every second Saturday.

Upcoming distribution dates:

  • May 22, 2021.
  • June 5, 2021.
  • June 19, 2021.

 

Peer Advocacy Program -  Qajuqturvik community Food Centre

This program connects individuals with a Peer Advocacy Coordinator who supports community members as they access employment and social benefits, mental health resources, legal aid, and other resources.

Due to COVID restrictions, this program is currently available by email or phone. To make an appointment, please call Lucy at 979-4863 or lucy@qajuqturvik.ca.