Help for individuals affected by hazardous weather and natural disasters
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The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians affected by hazardous weather and natural disastersFootnote 1 across the country.
Consult Flood Ready and Get Prepared for more information.
Apply for Employment Insurance
If you can’t work due to hazardous weather or a natural disaster, apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as soon as possible, even if your employer hasn’t issued you a record of employment (ROE).
You need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply for EI benefits. If you don’t know your SIN, or don’t have one, you can find your SIN or apply for one.
To process your application, we need your mailing and residential addresses.
- Provide a mailing address where you can receive mail (you can update this address later, if required). For example, the address of a:
- friend
- family member
- temporary shelter
- Provide your usual residential address, even if you’re temporarily living somewhere else
Submit your EI reports
To receive EI benefits, you must complete and file reports online or by phone every 2 weeks.
Don’t declare monies received because of hazardous weather or a natural disaster. This includes payments from:
- insurance companies
- government relief funds
- the Red Cross, or
- other charitable organizations
Declare all other amounts received.
Get your payments on time
To receive your payments without any postal delays, we recommend you sign up for direct deposit.
If you need more help
For additional support, contact us or visit eServiceCanada to schedule a call back within 2 business days.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
If you're an employer or a temporary foreign worker (TFW) taking part in the TFW Program (TFWP), be sure to have an updated evacuation plan:
- follow municipal, provincial or territorial evacuation orders
- know your local evacuation routes and procedures
- maintain a contact plan between employers and TFWs
Once you're safe, consult the following:
If you're an employer
You must continue to meet your program obligations. If you believe you haven't been meeting your obligations, you can tell us about any compliance issues.
You must also:
- contact your regional processing centre to report any unreachable TFWs
- if your business can't operate and you've laid off TFWs:
- issue ROEs so that TFWs can apply for EI benefits. Visit How to complete the record of employment form for support
- contact the Employer Contact Centre to inform Service Canada of any changes to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), such as layoffs
If you're a TFW
- If you had to leave your workplace, reach out to your employer to inform them that you're safe
- If you were laid off due to hazardous weather or a natural disaster, apply for EI (don't wait until your employer has issued an ROE)
- If you need more help, consult the Contact us section
For more information, consult Your rights are protected (available in many languages).
Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security
The delivery of pension cheques by mail may be impacted by hazardous weather or natural disasters.
To ensure timely delivery of benefits, we recommend signing up for direct deposit.
If you prefer to receive your OAS or CPP payment by cheque, you can change your address to ensure you receive cheques during hazardous weather or natural disasters.
To sign up or make a change, clients can:
- contact Old Age Security (OAS)
- contact Canada Pension Plan (CPP), or
- visit eServiceCanada to schedule a call back within 2 business days
Those who still receive cheques are encouraged to visit Canada Post for updates and alternate delivery arrangements or pick-up locations.
For more information, please contact us.
Student loan and apprentice loan borrowers
Students affected by hazardous weather or a natural disaster who need help making loan payments can fast track their application for the Repayment Assistance Plan.
For more information, contact:
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects Call for Proposals
If you are applying to the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) Community-based Call for Proposals (CFP) and you are or may have been impacted by the wildfires, please contact your regional NHSP office to request an accommodation.
Work-Sharing
Work-Sharing Special Measures to support businesses affected by the 2023 wildfires occurring in multiple regions across Canada are effective June 25, 2023, to November 4, 2023.
Employers experiencing a decline in business activity attributable to the 2023 wildfires in Canada can be eligible for Work-Sharing Wildfire Special Measures if they:
- are located in the affected areas, and/or
- have major customers and/or major suppliers located in the affected areas
Further details regarding the special measures posted on the Work-Sharing overview page under the Special measures section. Please check the website regularly for updates.
Passport services
If you’ve been affected by hazardous weather or a natural disaster, and you’ve applied to receive a new passport by mail, contact the passport program if you need it urgently.
Learn more about Canada Post service interruptions.
Contact us
If you require further support or help to access service, submit an eServiceCanada request. This is available online and on mobile phones.
Service Canada Outreach Support Centre
If you're unable to access services online, you can contact the Service Canada Outreach Support Centre to receive assistance from a Service Canada representative toll-free at 1-877-631-2657.
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