COVID 19 FAQ’s

No, deferrals are only available or can be applied to charges incurred as of March 24, 2020. Any fees incurred prior to this date will have penalties applied.

Everyone is eligible to defer utility bill payments for 90 days.

If  you are only able to pay a portion of your bill or are unable to pay the bill, simply either pay what you can or do not pay.

Fees incurred on your account as of March 24, 2020 will not be charged any penalty for late or missed payment.

If you have lost your job through no fault of your own, for example, business closure, you may be eligible for employment insurance regular benefits. To apply online for Employment Insurance (EI) regular Benefits go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/apply.html This link provides a great deal of information on the Employment Insurance benefits from the Government of Canada for both regular and sickness benefits. ** Apply for benefits as soon as you stop working. You can start your application process even if you have not yet received your Record of Employment (ROE).

You may be entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits if you:

• were employed in insurable employment;
• lost your job through no fault of your own;
• have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks;
• have worked for the required number of insurable employment hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter;
• are ready, willing and capable of working each day;
• are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them).

Read more here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/eligibility.html

If you are sick, quarantined or have been directed to self-isolate,  the requirements to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits will be waived.

Apply as soon as possible after you stop working. If you wait more than 4 weeks after your last day of work to apply, you may lose benefits.

Follow the link to start your application: https://srv270.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/AW/introduction?GoCTemplateCulture=en-CA

Service Canada is experiencing higher than normal call volumes.  They recommend using the self-serve options (online application and information resources) the best you can.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/apply.html

If you are still needing to contact Service Canada regarding your employment insurance claim call – Toll Free  1-800-206-7218

780-514-3777

Monday and Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM |Closed on holidays

Located at 4820-51 Avenue (beside the Splash Park)

Call 780-514-3777

Please leave a message if you would like to set up an appointment to receive a hamper

The best way to help is to buy the groceries at the store and leave them in the donation boxes located in store

Family and Community Support Services offers information and referral services to community resources such as:

• Mental health
• Addictions
• Housing
• Counseling

FCSS works to support people and assist them in navigating resources and can help individuals to  compete forms that allow people to access benefits such as: Alberta Supports:

• Seniors Benefits
• AISH
• Income supports

Federal Supports:

• CPP
• OAS
• GIS

This program was set up to help the seniors in our community
with grocery delivery during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Seniors can order their groceries over the phone with
Drayton Valley IGA and Jocelyn’s Your Independent Grocer
and volunteers will deliver them.

In order to ensure that your order goes smoothly, we ask
that you please be patient and understand that not all
items may be in stock; allow for flexibility on the brand of
item you are requesting, and make generic requests for
items such as “bread, milk, and eggs.” This will help make
the process easier and will allow for more orders to be
filled. After your order is placed a volunteer will then
deliver your groceries.

Drayton Valley IGA
780-542-4644, extension 0
If you are unable to get through, please leave a message
and they will get back you.

Jocelyn’s Your Independent Grocer
780-542-3518
Stay on the line for ask for customer service
Please no phone in orders after 5 p.m

In order to be a Community Outreach volunteer it is crucial that all documents are filled out in full and returned to our FCSS department. This ensures the safety of both the seniors as well as our generous volunteers making deliveries.

Should you have any questions you can email fcss@draytonvalley.ca or contact the Town at 780-514-2200.

The volunteer orientation process includes the following forms:

Volunteer Application Form – consists of the volunteer’s personal information, as well areas in which you are able to deliver, and the days and times you are available.

Confidentiality Agreement Form – this is to ensure that any confidential information that the volunteer may become privy to is protected.

Volunteer Guidelines – this outlines the procedures for delivery to ensure that all volunteers understand what is required of them.

The Alberta Government is providing $30 million to municipalities, charitable and non-profit organizations to provide help to individuals, seniors, families and other vulnerable Albertans who are isolated or impacted by measures to contain COVD-19.

Funding will be distributed to these organizations through local FCSS Programs and will support a range of services needed from at home help for seniors, crisis and helplines, food security issues, emotional and mental health counselling or any other identified community issues.

Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to the following:
• Any expense NOT related to addressing the social well-being of those most vulnerable due to COVID-19.
• Offering direct assistance in the form of money or shelter.
• Being primarily rehabilitative or health-focused in nature.

For a copy of the Funding Criteria as well as the Funding Request form, please email fcss@draytonvalley.ca

Call Lola Strand at (780) 514-2204 for more information.

The Community Mat Program is emergency shelter for those without a safe place to sleep.

Operates out of the Baptist Church: 4401-50 Avenue

9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. 7 days a week