Parents looking for instant cash to cover current child-care costs during the B.C. teacher’s strike will be disappointed to learn the government won’t be paying out any money until after the strike is over.
In a media release this week explaining the Temporary Education Support for Parents program, which will pay parents and primary caregivers $40 per child age 12 and under for each day school is not in session, the province stated a one-time cheque would be written to eligible applicants “within 30 days after the month the labour disruption ends.”
Online applications to receive the payments opened Sunday for parents and primary caregivers, including step-parents, legal guardians, foster parents, host parents for international students, caregivers with temporary custody arrangements and family members who normally care for the student, such as grandparents. Payments for students attending kindergarten and those new to B.C. public schools will also be made after the labour disruption ends, once enrolment for the current school year can be confirmed.
Applications will be processed up to four months after the resumption of classes.
Find out more information on how to apply at bcparentinfo.ca/parent-support-resources or call 250-387-3332 to order paper application forms.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com