COVID-19 Student Resources

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Workers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents – including international students – may be eligible to receive this Benefit if they meet the other eligibility requirements. To verify eligibility, please visit the Canada Emergency Response Benefit page.

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students, and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19. Students may be eligible to apply for the CESB through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

From May to August 2020, the CESB provides a payment to eligible students of $1,250 for each 4-week period or $2,000 for each 4-week period, if you have dependants or a disability.

For eligibility rules and more information about the CESB application process, please visit the CRA website. The government has also launched a dedicated CESB phone line at 1-833-966-2099.

If you are having trouble applying for the CESB because you have not filed taxes before or there is an issue with your CRA account, you will need to connect with the main CRA phone line at 1-800-959-8281.

While the COVID-19 pandemic will limit employment opportunities for students, it presents an opportunity for students and youth to mobilize and take part in national service activities that can provide valuable labour market and skills development experiences, while giving back to their local communities.

To encourage students to participate in the COVID-19 response, the government will launch a new national service initiative to recognize students’ significant contributions to the COVID-19 efforts, and provide support through a new Canada Student Service Grant which will provide up to $5,000 to support student’s post-secondary education costs in the fall.

More details will be made available on the I Want to Help platform over the coming weeks, including more detailed information about eligibility, the levels of funding available under the grant, how to apply for a national service position, and how applications will be assessed.

We anticipate more details will be made available on the Support for Students and Recent Graduates Impacted by COVID-19 website.

You do not need to apply for this benefit. If you are eligible, it will be issued to you automatically. For more information, please visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan page.

You do not need to apply for this benefit. If you are eligible, it will be issued to you automatically. For more information, please visit the GST/HST credit – Eligibility page.

The Government of Canada offers student grants and loans to full-time and part-time students. Grants and loans help students pay for their post-secondary education. For more information, please visit the Canada Student Grants and Loans page.

The Government of Canada will remove the restriction that allows international students to work only a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.

International students and their employers should consult Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada’s Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada during the COVID-19 Outbreak to determine if the work the student is doing would allow them to work more than 20 hours per week during the academic session. This temporary rule change will be in place until August 31, 2020.

More details will be made available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Wellness Together Canada is free and provides tools and resources to help get Canadians back on track. These include modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues. For more information, please visit the Mental Health and Substance Use support page.

Ontario Works and ODSP recipients can access emergency benefits by calling their caseworker. Emergency benefits for COVID-19 related expenses are the same for both programs: up to $100 for single individuals and up to $200 for families.

Ontario has put a moratorium on all eviction proceedings. In theory, if someone cannot pay their rent, they cannot be evicted for it. However, we are telling people this with the caveat that this does not prevent further repercussions from their landlord once this is over, such as their landlord sending their unpaid rent to collections, thus affecting their credit rating, etc. Speak with your landlord for accommodations if needed.

The Ontario government has changed the hydro time of use policy to be on the lowest rate at all times, so Ontarians will see a reduction in their hydro bills over the next month.

For a comprehensive list of provincial supports, please visit Benefits Information (PDF, 417 KB).

If you are in need of emergency assistance and are not eligible for other government programs, please complete the Student Emergency Fund In-Take Form available to graduate and undergraduate students to receive funding for essential expenses that may have arisen as a result of COVID-19.

Carleton students without access to Internet or a computer to complete course work should contact covidinfo@carleton.ca

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Carleton’s online services, please contact the ITS Service Desk by phone 613-520-3700 or email.

Although the CUSA Food Centre is not currently open on campus, should any student require assistance they are asked to email the food centre at foodcentre@cusaonline.ca who can set up a time for a food hamper pick up.

Students can use the ‘Find Food’ app to identify community food programs that are close to them.

This organization has developed a confidential, professionally administered form to support people who are directly affected by COVID-19. Individuals in the following categories are eligible to receive food/hygiene kits: people in isolation because they are sick or have family members that are sick, people in quarantine (within 14 days of travel), immunocompromised individuals, single parent homes and low-income households (case by case).

During the pandemic, it can be difficult for residents to get access to food and groceries, especially those living on low income or lost income. Just Food Ottawa—a local non-profit organization—has launched a new website, Good Food Ottawa, that provides information and resources for residents struggling during the pandemic.

Students may qualify for a bursary based on financial need. For a list of available bursaries, more information and how to apply, please visit the Awards and Financial Aid website.

Students can still access all services virtually. For more information, please visit the Health and Counselling Services website.

For urgent care (walk-in) please call 613-520-6674. You will be triaged by telephone to determine the safest way to provide you care.

For crisis counselling please call 613-520-6674. You will be triaged by telephone to determine the safest way to provide support.

There are resources available for both domestic students and international students.

Online safe substance use supports are available through the Student Affairs website.

A variety of services are available. Clients are advised to call ahead at 613-238-8210 as changes to services may occur. Current services and phone numbers for specific services will be available on the Somerset Community West Health Centre website.

Ottawa-wide services:

• Consumption and Treatment Services (modified hours), and Needle Exchange & Safer Inhalation (harm reduction supplies will continue to be available through outreach and van services. Students can contact the NESI Van at 613-761-0003)

Catchment-specific services:

• Urgent Primary Care (by appointment only), Social Services Walk-In (via telephone)
• Single session counselling is now available in English and Mandarin. Practical supports are available for the Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodian communities via telephone.

The Centre’s operations have shifted to provide only essential services, effective immediately.

Services include medical appointments, same-day medical clinic, consumption and treatment services, Junction (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Opioid Agonist Treatment, Back on Track program.

With the exception of the Junction, Centre-wide hours for all other essential services will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A COVID-19 message is available on the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre website and a services information update (from Monday, March 30, 2020) is available on the Immediate Service Changes page.

Pinecrest-Queensway CHC is now closed except for those programs deemed to be essential services. The Richmond Road and Strandherd Drive sites are closed Tuesdays and Thursdays, with only essential services on site Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All other services are being modified and delivered through alternative means.

Primary Care medical clinic appointments are being provided by telephone.

Employment services will be provided to both job seekers and employers. Services are being offered in a virtual capacity through telephone, email, texting and video conferencing. Job seekers and employers can reach out for service through phone at 613-288-3880 or by email at info@pqchc.com

A COVID-19 message is available on the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre website.

There has been a temporary reduction of hours to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance to Carlington CHC will be restricted to people with confirmed appointments and to those in need of emergency support with personal crisis, food security or harm reduction equipment.  Please call 613-722-4000 before coming to the Centre.

The office will remain open for counselling, food cupboard access and to provide harm reduction supplies and information.

A COVID-19 message is available on the Carlington Community Health Centre website and current services information (PDF, 590 KB) is also available.

Centretown Community Health Centre is open to offer some essential services.

Services include: the Primary Care phone lines (613-233-4697), walk-in (call ahead to 613-233-4697), chiropodist appointments (only for urgent issues), counselling appointments (to book, call 613-233-4443, ext. 2109) and harm reduction supplies. Practical assistance and social service walk-ins are closed, but for telephone support please call 613-233-4443 and ask to speak to a Community Support Worker.

A COVID-19 message and services details are available on the Centretown Community Health Centre website.

Please note: all groups have been cancelled at the health centres, except for Back on Track (for individuals with impaired driving records) at Sandy Hill. 

Settlement and integration services are being provided remotely by settlement workers, and legal advice on immigration matters can be provided by volunteer lawyers a few times a week. Individuals can call 613-725-5671, ext. 316 or email info@ociso.org to be connected with an intake worker who will direct them to the services or information needed.

A COVID-19 message is available on the OCISO website.

CCI Ottawa is maintaining a webpage called “Links for Newcomers to Help You Deal with the Impact of COVID-19”, which includes resources related to food, employment, social distancing, government services and more.

Staff are working from home to provide services. Clients can access services by calling the reception desk at 613-232-9634 and the receptionist will direct their call to appropriate staff.

A COVID-19 message is available on the CCI Ottawa website.

The United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMOOG), supported by Muslim Family Services of Ottawa (MFSO), can provide grocery and prescription pick up, supplies or free professional phone/web counselling for isolated or vulnerable people of any faith, culture or community who are impacted by COVID-19. Individuals are asked to complete a confidential, professionally administered form.

MFSO can be contacted via email at info@mfso.ca if individuals require support or referrals to services.

A COVID-19 message is available on the MFSO website.

Students can access crisis counselling by calling 613-729-3145.

Staff are available to support clients remotely through telephone or email. For services, please call 613-729-3145 or email infomail@immigrantwomenservices.com.

A COVID-19 message is available on the Immigrant Women Services Ottawa website.

The office is closed, however, clients can be in touch by telephone, email or an on-line platform from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The general email is occsc@occsc.org or individuals can call 613-235-4875.

A COVID-19 message is available on the OCCSC website.

Employment services are being offered remotely using e-mail, telephone and online delivery service. The Career Access for Newcomers (CAN) program does cater to international students who are in need of support for their job search. Students who wish to register with World Skills are asked to write to ws@ottawa-worldskills.org to schedule a virtual appointment with an employment counsellor.

A COVID-19 message is available on the World Skills website.