Today, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, announced an increase to the maximum gross monthly income threshold from $3,000 to $3,500 for the Essential Worker Support Program.
Increasing the maximum qualifying income threshold will provide financial support to additional essential workers who worked during the pandemic. This will allow:
- Employers who did not previously apply on behalf of eligible essential workers to submit an application;
- Employers who previously applied for essential workers to now reapply for those workers who earned a maximum gross monthly income up to $3,500; and,
- Eligible essential workers to apply directly if they meet the eligibility criteria and their employer does not apply on their behalf.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed particular demands on workers in certain sectors, including those on the front-line in hospitals and nursing homes, those ensuring the integrity of the food supply, or providing essential retail services to Canadians. The Essential Worker Support Program provides a temporary wage top-up to essential workers employed during Alert Levels 4 and 5 of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is taxable income, as it will be included on an individual’s earnings for 2021.
This program, which is cost-shared with the Federal Government, will provide a one-time payment to individuals who meet eligibility criteria and who work in professions included in the Government of Canada’s “Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic” document.
The eligibility period for this program is from March 15, 2020 to July 4, 2020. The application deadline has been extended to February 26, 2021. Inquiries can be sent by e-mail to EssentialWorkers@gov.nl.ca or by calling toll-free 1-833-771-0696.
More information is available online here.
Quote
“We thank the many essential workers who have been providing critical services during this pandemic. They are not just first responders, but also those on the front lines of retail, healthcare, food sales and the restaurant industry. We are encouraging all employers to help us support their staff through the application process for the Essential Worker Support Program.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance
– 30 –
Learn more
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @FIN_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
Media contact
Diana Quinton
Finance
709-729-2477, 697-1566
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca