The Government of PEI is reopening the COVID-19 Emergency Payment for Workers program to help Islanders get through the recent public health restrictions.

The COVID-19 Emergency Payment for Workers program provides financial support to residents of Prince Edward Island who had employment impacts as a result of the COVID-19 public health measures announced December 17, 2021. This emergency payment program is a one-time lump sum payment of $500 from the Government of Prince Edward Island. This emergency benefit is taxable income.

The Government of PEI has also reinstated the Emergency Income Relief Program for the Self-Employed. This program supports self-employed Islanders who have lost more than 50 per cent of their self-employment income due to public health restrictions put in place on December 17, 2021,  who can show that self-employment income is their primary source of income, and who aren’t eligible for other federal support programs.

To apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Payment for Workers, click here.

To apply for the Emergency Income Relief Program for the Self-Employed, click here.

To read the full Government of PEI press release on these programs, click here.

The eligibility period for the programs coincide with the current CPHO restrictions announced effective December 17, 2021, and scheduled to end January 8, 2022.

Supports, such as the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit(link is external) which was expanded last week, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit(link is external) or the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit(link is external) are available through the Government of Canada as is the provincial COVID-19 Special Leave Fund.