In a COVID-19 teleconference update, Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost announced that Yukoners receiving Social Assistance will not experience a reduction in benefits if they also receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Under Yukon's Social Assistance Regulations the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit currently qualifies as unearned income and results in a reduction of the Social Assistance benefits received. Forthcoming changes under the Civil Emergency Measures Act will fully exempt CERB payments from April to June 2020.
Additional support is also available for Yukoners receiving Social Assistance benefits who are waiting to receive their CERB payments. Individuals in need of emergency financial support are encouraged to contact Income Support Services at 867-667-5674 or by email at incomesupport@gov.yk.ca. Income Support workers are available to ensure the needs of individuals are met throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost said in a statement, It is important that Yukoners are not placed in financial hardship as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes, which align with recommendations from the Government of Canada, will make Yukon one of just two jurisdictions in Canada to fully exempt CERB payments from Social Assistance benefits.
Responding to questions about the new COVID-19 testing criteria announced on Friday, Deputy Minster, Stephen Samis said the focus at this point is to ensure extensive testing of Yukon's vulnerable population and that testing everyone in the territory is not under consideration at this time.
The Government of Canada recommends that the provinces and territories work to ensure that Canadians who are receiving CERB payments are not penalized by seeing a reduction in overall benefits.
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