The New Brunswick government has announced various financial measures to help impacted workers and businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.
The measures include:
- New Brunswick Workers Emergency Income Benefit: $4.5 million investment for workers who have recently become unemployed will help to bridge the gap between when a person lost their job or closed their business after March 15, to when the national benefit takes effect.
- Job protection for workers who must take a leave of absence due to COVID-19 that will allow an unpaid leave of up to 15 weeks to New Brunswickers who have COVID-19 or are caring for someone with the virus.
- Elimination of interest on WorkSafeNB assessment premiums for three months.
- Deferring interest and principal payments on existing Government of New Brunswick loans on a case-by-case basis.
- Small business owners will be eligible for loans up to $200,000. They will not be required to pay the principal on their loan for up to 12 months.
- Working capital of more than $200,000 to help medium-sized to large employers manage the effects of COVID-19 on their operations. Businesses can apply directly to Opportunities NB for this support.
New Brunswick Workers Emergency Income Benefit:
The government in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross is providing a one-time income benefit of $900 is available for workers or self-employed people residing in New Brunswick who have lost their job due to the state of emergency. With this program, the government hopes to bridge the gap between when a person lost their job or closed their business on or after March 15, 2020, to when the national benefit takes effect. The benefit will end on April 30, 2020.
Who is Eligible for New Brunswick Workers Emergency Income Benefit:
You are not eligible if are currently receiving EI, or receiving Social Assistance, Old Age Security (OAS), or a Private/Provincial/Federal Pension,or some form of income or benefit (e.g. salary, sick leave, disability insurance, workers compensation etc.), or incarcerated in a Federal or Provincial institution.
To be eligible you must be 18 years of age and older and
- have lost your job – been laid off on or after March 15th due to the state of emergency in New Brunswick OR be a self-employed workers who have lost all revenues through self-employment on or after March 15th due to the state of emergency in New Brunswick.
- and must have earned a minimum of $5,000 (gross) earnings in the last 12 months or in the last calendar year. The income of at least $5,000 may be from any or a combination of the following sources: employment (wages and benefits); self-employment; Employment Insurance including maternity and parental benefits.
- and have applied (or plan to apply) for support through the Federal government (either Employment Insurance or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit)
HOW TO APPLY
Questions: Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week
1-800-863-6582 (toll free)