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Powell River city councillor helps residents access government programs

Cindy Elliott offers help with online submissions for benefits
City of Powell River councillor Cindy Elliott
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE: City of Powell River councillor Cindy Elliott has been helping people get signed up for benefits from provincial and federal governments. Paul Galinski photo

City of Powell River councillor Cindy Elliott has been using her time during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people navigate through government programs online.

At the April 23 City of Powell River Council meeting, during community engagement reports, Elliott said she was pleased to say some members of the community have contacted her for help and she has been able to help them.

“The federal government has announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the provincial government has also announced measures, including the BC Temporary Rental Supplement, so that’s an online submission as well,” said Elliott. “Some people are having difficulty with that experience because they are not online savvy.

“The federal government just announced there is going to be a fund for students as well, which hasn’t been online yet, but as soon as it does, students will also be able to apply for assistance if they can’t find employment over the summer.”

Elliott said what she is proposing is that if people struggle in the online environment and need assistance, they are more than welcome to contact her.

“I can help people over the phone, with the computer stuff, or I can do it for them,” said Elliott. “We get it done for them so they can get the help they are entitled to.”

Elliott can be reached at 604.223.0054, or celliott@powellriver.ca.