Financial Stress in the Midst of the COVID-19 Crisis

Table of Contents

Residents of the Greater Toronto Area have had their lives turned upside-down by the pandemic of COVID-19. Here at David Sklar & Associates, we understand that many residents have been thrown into financial instability because of this health crisis and are concerned about what to do next. If you need financial help, we are still here for you.

We offer over-the-phone consultations, video consultations, and electronic document signing so that you can access our credit counselling and other debt-relief services from the safety of your home. We want to encourage our clients to prioritize their health as best as they can during these uncertain times.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Greater Toronto Area. Business owners are shuttering their doors. Schools, daycares, and libraries are closing indefinitely. Preventative measures are being enforced every day to flatten the curve of infection.

While these precautions are essential for health and safety, they have sent shockwaves of concern across the GTA, and some residents are worried about how they’re going to pay the bills. Find out why there’s a sudden surge in financial instability and what David Sklar & Associates can do to help.

Current Common Concerns

There are several things contributing to people’s panic over their finances at the moment. You might be dealing with one of the following four problems or a combination of them.

Inability to Practice Social Distancing

Waiters, retail managers, and ride-share drivers can’t practice social distancing by doing their tasks at home. Jobs like these require public interaction in order to succeed. As a worker, you may feel forced to sacrifice your paycheque or risk your health to stay afloat.

Business Closures

Even if employees feel the pressure to clock-in, customers might not walk through the door. With no profits, employers are closing shop. You are one of the countless employees that have been laid off during the pandemic.

The Kids Are at Home

Parents are also dealing with the additional stress of losing childcare services like school and daycare. Taking care of your children at home might interfere with your ability to work and generate income.

No Savings

Research shows that approximately 53% of Canadians are living from paycheque to paycheque and 49% have no emergency savings to dip into. If you’re one of these Canadians, you’re going to struggle to make ends meet when your main source of income is compromised or taken away completely.

Government Responses to Financial Anxieties

The federal and provincial governments are responding to this problem as quickly as they can to ease financial worries. The federal government has waived the waiting period for Employment Insurance. They have also extended the income tax deadline from April 30th to June 1st, 2020. They announced that they would freeze student loan payments. Ontario’s government has changed policies on paid sick leave and suspended eviction notices so that residents don’t get kicked out in the midst of a crisis.

Watch for more responses about financial relief from the government. Other countries around the world have responded to the economic backlash with rent freezes and bill suspensions. In the upcoming weeks of handling the crisis, Canada may follow suit.

What Can You Do for the Time Being?

The first thing that you should do is to focus on essentials like groceries. The other demands in your life can wait.

You may need to stretch your money for the upcoming weeks, so if you have any bills that are due, pay the minimum. If you’ve experienced a job or income loss, call up the creditor to see whether you can get an extension.

See if you qualify for any government assistance, like EI (Employment Insurance). If you do, sign up as soon as possible to access that relief.

Talk to one of our licensed insolvency trustees. We can offer financial guidance to help you through these stressful times. We have service options including bankruptcy and consumer proposal services that can still be done without breaching social distancing rules.

We can do over-the-phone and video consultations so that you don’t have to visit the firm. We have e-signing so that you can send and sign documents electronically from your computer. You may not have to leave the comfort of your own home. We can do all of these tasks without putting your health and safety at risk.

The weeks ahead will be a challenge, but there are many services with your financial stability in mind. This situation is temporary.

Take Your First Step Towards A Debt Free Life

If you are overwhelmed by debt, call us at 1-844-962-9200 to book a FREE, confidential appointment. We will review your financial situation in detail and discuss all of your options with you. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below and our team will reach out to you. 

Share This!

Christine Sylver was very helpful to my situation. No question asked, she went above and beyond just to give me the options that I need to solve my problems. She explained and made me understand my options. Thank you Christine! Everything was done in a week. Regards, to Richard Sklar for explaining everything further to me. 😊
Kris
1685201109
I was blown away by how kind and empathetic Christine and David were. I came into the process expecting to feel embarrassed, but they were so helpful and unquestionably supportive, they made the whole experience a positive thing. On top of that, Christine found a solution for me that was better than I ever could have imagined. I highly recommend Christine, David, and colleagues to anyone.
Mary M
1684189795
Christine Sylver has been very efficient in working with me in all aspects toward developing a very favourable consumer proposal which meets my financial budgeting very nicely. She also exhibited a very positive pro client attitude and was every pleasant to communicate with. Richard Sklar also demonstrated a very positive pro client attitude in explaining in detail all aspects. All great!!
Rob Hultgren
1683919919
Dealing with Christine was a real pleasure.She was very understanding professional and knowledgeable she answered all my questions.I left feeling relieved a big burden was lifted from my shoulders
John Horan
1683830383
Very happy I got in touch with Jackie! She has been a great help and a pleasure to work with! I highly recommend Jackie if you need help getting out of financial debt.
Hailey Cascagnette
1683647325
I had the pleasure of working with Jackie and she made the experience very easy and was very honest which I appreciated as I was extremely nervous to go through with the process. Any questions or concerns I've had after our meetings were answered no problems and although it's been a few weeks I can honestly say I've never felt so stress-free. Very thankful for Jackie.
Cassandra Arevalo
1683644364
Very considerate of how people can sometimes make mistakes and need help to get things back on track. Great team of people. Thanks to Jacqueline for all her help.
Kevin Chase
1683498014
My mother told me about this firm because they helped resolve her situation nearly 25 years ago. I had the pleasure of working with Christine Sylver. I should’ve done this years ago but I am where I am and it is what it is. Extremely courteous, professional and understanding. I hope to never need their services again but they would be my first call! A+
Patrick Martel
1683324165
Jerry was extremely thorough and ensured that as a client, I understood all of my options and their repercussions. He offered his professional advice best suited for my situation and he is amazing at his work. Thank you Jerry! :)
Stephanie Belanger
1683317517
Great experience with Jerry and staff. Thank you.
Harold Hutchings
1682737038
js_loader
DS david skalr icon

Book your free consultation.

Call 1-844-962-9200 or fill out the form below. We’ll do the rest.

Contact Us