On April 15, it was announced that there were some changes made to the CERB eligibility criteria. These rules will help give access to more Canadians impacted by COVID-19.
Changes include the following:
- Individuals applying for CERB can now earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting CERB
- Seasonal workers who have exhausted their regular EI benefits and are unable to undertake their regular seasonal work due to COVID-19
- Extending CERB to workers who have recently exhausted their regulars EI benefits and are unable to find a job due to COVID-19
Other key criteria remain the same. Please see the CRA website for more information and directions to apply: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
Please continue to check out our blog for more information as it becomes available and for information previously announced.
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Starting on April 6, 2020 Canadians who have been directly affected by COVID-19 can begin to apply for CERB.
This benefit will provide payments for employed and self-employed individuals who have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19.
To apply you must meet some basic criteria including:
- Residing in Canada
- Being aged 15 years or old when you apply
- Have stopped working for due to COVID-19 and have not received any income or benefits for 14 days in a row
- Are not currently receiving EI for the period that you apply
- Earned a minimum of $5000 income in the last 12 months or in 2019
The CRA website goes through all of the criteria as well as provides additional information regarding eligibility periods and how to reapply once you have been approved for payments. It will also walk you through how to apply and get you set up with direct deposit so you can quickly receive your benefits.
Please note, that since there will be many people applying for this benefit the CRA has set out guidelines to help manage the flow of applicants.
CRA: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html#who
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The Government of Canada has introduced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to help people and businesses as a response to the issues facing Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposed plan will provide $2000 a month for up to four months for workers who are unable to work during this time. This includes people who are sick, quarantined, people who are taking care of individuals who are sick with COVID-19 as well as parents who have to stay home without pay to care for children who are home due to school and daycare closures. This will also cover people who are not working due to a disruption to their work due to COVID-19, so they can easily return to work in the future.
This will apply to wage earners as well as contract and self-employed individuals who would not normally be eligible for EI.
If you qualify, you should be able to apply for CERB starting in April and can expect to receive payment in 10 days of application.
Please see the CRA website located below for more details, including links to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit as well as EI if you qualify.