Update from ESDC’s Compensation Services Directorate

Update on the eligibility criteria for the Salary Priority Payments (SPP)

ESDC employees facing pay problems have access to Emergency Salary Advances (ESA) / Salary Priority Payments (SPP), and Out-of-Pocket claims to help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with these issues. Some employees may also be eligible to submit a claim under the Phoenix Damages Agreement.

The eligibility criteria for a Salary Priority Payment (SPP) has been updated to provide greater access to financial support for employees, of note:

  • The definition of a SPP has been revised to be more inclusive of possible missing pay entitlements.
  • The minimum dollar value threshold that an employee must meet before requesting a SPP has been eliminated.
  • The minimum waiting period for which the funds are outstanding has been reduced from eight to six pay periods
  • The instructions for obtaining an ESA/SPP have been adapted for a more client-focused experience.

Refer to iService for more information on Emergency Salary Advance / Salary Priority Payment, including the application process.

Temporary measures for overpayment recoveries during the COVID-19 situation

In light of the current pandemic situation, the Pay Centre has temporarily suspended recovery plans for all new overpayments effective March 23, 2020.

The Pay Centre will continue informing employees of any new overpayments, and employees can still choose to repay their new overpayment by advising the Pay Centre.

The recovery of overpayments that fall under the flexibilities provision outlined in the Directive on the Terms and Conditions of Employment can be found in the Information Bulletin: Additional Flexibilities with regards to the recovery overpayments, Emergency Salary Advances and priority payments. While the recovery of new overpayments, outlined in the Information Bulletin, will be suspended until further notice, it is important to note that the recovery of overpayments will continue for the following transactions, as they are excluded from the flexible repayment options:

  • Overpayments of less than 10% of an employee’s gross bi-weekly pay.
  • Periods of leave without pay of five days or less.
  • Overdrawn leave (vacation/sick) upon termination of employment (for reasons other than incapacity, layoff, and death).
  • Cancellation of a leave with income averaging agreement by the employee, where the leave has been taken.
  • Amounts paid on behalf of employees for union dues.
  • Maternity/parental allowance, where the employee has not fulfilled their obligation as set out in their collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment.
  • Amounts owed to public service health/dental insurance plans, pension contributions, supplementary death benefit or disability/long-term disability following periods of leave without pay.

In addition, the recovery plans will continue for overpayments in the following circumstance:

  • Termination of employment, end-of-term or casual contracts without further extension (from first available funds).

Note: Existing repayment plans will continue, as agreed upon, for employees who already have these plans in place. Employees experiencing financial hardship, who wish to modify a repayment plan, may call the Client Contact Centre at 1-855-686-4729.

Temporary measures for Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) during the COVID-19 situation

Following the original announcement on March 24, 2020, the Government of Canada has implemented additional temporary changes to the PSHCP, effective April 24, 2020. These changes are designed to help PSHCP members and eligible dependents access health care benefits while at the same time minimizing social interaction with health care professionals. The temporary changes outlined in the Public Service Health Care Plan will remain in effect until non-critical business resumes. All other PSHCP provisions and coverage for members and eligible dependents remain the same during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional Information for employees

For additional information on the COVID-19 pandemic, Government of Canada employees are encouraged to refer to updates from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO).

For those that are not able to log in remotely, please ask your manager to share these resources with you

Darlène de Gravina
Sous-ministre adjointe, Direction générales des services de ressources humaines
Emploi et Développement social Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources Services Branch
Employment and Social Development Canada / Government of Canada