Four Crucial Resources for Single Parents During the Coronavirus

| 8 min read Financial Assistance

The coronavirus crisis hasn’t been easy for anyone, but if you’re a single parent, this time is more challenging than ever. Navigating a volatile job market and learning how to homeschool your children are just a few of the hardships facing single parents during this unprecedented time. To help, we’ve put together a list of resources for single parents during the coronavirus—it includes everything from online games for your kids to ways you can find financial help during Covid-19 to pay your bills. 

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Ways for single parents to get help during the coronavirus

The coronavirus has been a challenging time for people all over the world. Thankfully, as things get harder, people are showing compassion and empathy toward others more than ever. Rest assured, if you’re a single parent and you need help, there are people and programs ready to help you. 

1. See if these government benefits apply to you

  • Canada is providing up to an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019 and 2020. This will mean approximately $550 more for the average family. The payment is eligible to those who have an eligible child in May 2020 and your 2018 taxes have been filed. This benefit will be delivered as a part of scheduled CCB payments. Here is how to apply. 
  • The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay.
  • Employment Insurance maternity and parental benefits provide financial assistance to people and parents pregnant or caring for newborns.
  • Through Employment Insurance, you could receive financial assistance of up to 55% of your earnings, to a maximum of $573 a week. These benefits will help you take time away from work to provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care.

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2. Crowdfund to help cover any financial burdens you are facing

Crowdfunding is one of the quickest ways to get the financial help that you may need. Additionally, with government support systems and grants taking weeks or even months to pay out, crowdfunding can be an incredible alternative to find funding. So, what is crowdfunding exactly? It’s the act of reaching out to friends, family, and even strangers, to ask them for their support. With millions of people in need of support right now, you’re not alone in asking your social network for a little assistance. 

If you decide to start fundraising for coronavirus, be as honest and transparent as possible about how the coronavirus is affecting you as a single parent. Whether you’ve lost your job and you’re having trouble paying for groceries, or you need help buying school supplies to start homeschooling your child, your needs are worthy of other people’s help. If you want to check out some fundraisers before you get started, browse through these fundraisers for families affected by the coronavirus.

3. Find a relief fund that fits your need

If you’re a single parent who is having trouble making ends meet financially, there are many relief funds and grant programs that can help you. While most relief funds are set up to support small businesses and nonprofits, there are many that support individuals, as well. Depending on your specific need, there is certainly a relief fund to assist you.

  • If you’re having trouble paying your rent, take a look at the rent relief fund. Frederick Joseph is sending out grants of $200 to individuals who are going to be short on rent this month due to coronavirus related challenges.
  • Schitt’s Creek Gives Back started by the cast of Schitt’s Creek to ensure that everyone has reliable access to food during the coronavirus pandemic. Funds will be distributed to Food Banks Canada and Feeding America. To benefit from this relief fund, visit this link to find your local food bank supported by Food Banks Canada. 
  • Candid.org has an easy to use search function where you can look for relief funds in your area. Do a quick search to see if any relief funds in your local community apply to your situation.  

4. Check out these online options for entertainment during coronavirus

With kids out of school, many single parents are navigating the challenges of learning how to homeschool their children. We know it can be tough to pick up teaching, or to know exactly where to begin. To help out, we put together a few resources to make sure you have all the tools you need to keep your kids entertained while you and your family self-isolate. 

Bring the classroom to your living room with these resources

  • While schools are closed, Audible is offering streaming for children’s stories to make sure children have access to educational resources or the opportunity to escape into a good book. 
  • Lakeshore Learning has a whole section dedicated to resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, and craft ideas to encourage a learning environment at home during the coronavirus.
  • Canada-based Amino Labs is offering free games and activities that teach children about genetic engineering and biotechnology.
  • Museums across Canada have virtual exhibits and tours that can be viewed online.
  • In light of COVID-19, Khan Academy is offering educational resources for parents to encourage remote learning while schools are closed. 
  • The National Geographic Kids Science Lab offers some very interesting and fun science experiments for you and your family to try at home. 

Watch a wildlife cam 

  • Calgary’s  Panda Cam lets you watch their two giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao.
  • Check out Vancouver aquarium’s Penguin Cam and Sea Otter Cam.
  • Explore.org offers a multitude of cams to choose from—everything from bald eagles to the Channel Islands kelp forest is available for viewing. 
  • The San Diego Zoo might be closed, but the animals aren’t fazed. Pop into a live cam and watch some of your favorite animals relax. 

Play a game to keep boredom at bay

  • The 3D gaming platform, Roblox has been a popular place for children to hang out during the coronavirus quarantine. Learn more about how Roblox keeps their platform safe and family friendly in their message to parents. 
  • If you have younger kids at home, PBS Kids offers all kinds of games to choose from on their website. Your child will surely be entertained for a few hours working through all the different options PBS offers. 

Stay healthy and active with your child

  • Canada’s MISFITMETHOD is offering yoga, dance, and pilates classes on their Instagram.
  • Well known CrossFit gym, Lift Corktown hosts classes on their Instagram from a roster of masterclass trainers.
  • Nike Training Club is offering their premium subscription for while the coronavirus crisis is affecting the world. These workouts tend to be a bit more advanced, but you can always adapt any workout to the needs of you and your family.
  • Corepower Yoga is offering a week of virtual yoga classes. This is a great option if you need a few minutes to decompress—or, if your kiddo is up for the challenge, have them join.

Fundraisers started for single parents during the COVID-19 crisis

Shasta started a fundraiser when she and her children all tested positive for COVID-19

The reality is that there will be many single parents with coronavirus in the coming months. Shasta started this fundraiser for herself and her two children, who all tested positive for COVID-19, as she is no longer able to work to cover everyday expenses. So far, she’s raised over $200 to help her family cover costs while they work on getting healthy again. 

People looking to help single moms during coronavirus have donated to Leslie’s fundraiser

Leslie Warner’s cleaning business slowed to a halt when the coronavirus outbreak hit. Her family’s only source of income completely disappeared. Leslie started a GoFundMe and has raised over $800 so she can continue putting food on the table for her two children.

A fundraiser was started for Ryan Loche’s children after he passed away due to coronavirus

When single father, Ryan Loche, passed away due to complications with coronavirus, a fundraiser was started to help financially support his children. If you’re debating whether or not to start a fundraiser, know that there are people looking to help single dads during coronavirus and families affected by COVID-19. 

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We’re stronger together: Reach out to your support system

Asking your community to help you through the coronavirus is easier than ever with fundraising through GoFundMe. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, keep in mind that the whole world is going through change right now—people may show up to support you in surprising ways. When you’re ready to get started, create your fundraiser, tell your story, and share it with your network. Together, we’ll all help each other through the coronavirus crisis. 

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Written by Ved Khan