Do You Qualify for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?

What is the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
On March 18 2020, the federal government announced an $82 billion Economic Response Plan to help Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the plan, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working and are without employment or self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19.

How much can you receive through the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit is paid in blocks of four weeks in the amount of $2,000, which is equivalent to $500 per week. A maximum 16 weeks of benefits can be paid.

Who are eligible to apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
The benefit will be available to workers:

• Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old and have a valid Social Insurance Number;

• Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits; Examples of stopping to work could include but are not limited to:
  • You have been let go from your job or your hours have been reduced to zero;
  • You are in quarantine or sick due to COVID-19;
  • You are away from work to take care of others because they are in quarantine, sick due to COVID-19; and/or
  • You are away from work to take care of children or other dependents whose care facility is closed due to COVID-19.

• Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application from the following sources:
  • employment;
  • self-employment;
  • benefits paid to the person under any of subsections 22(1), 23(1), 152.‍04(1) and 152.‍05(1) of the Employment Insurance Act; and
  • allowances, money or other benefits paid to the person under a provincial plan because of pregnancy or in respect of the care by the person of one or more of their new-born children or one or more children placed with them for the purpose of adoption; and

• Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.

The benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19. If you are looking for a job but haven’t stopped working because of COVID-19, you are not eligible for the Benefit.

If you applied for Employment Insurance (EI) before March 15, you will have to wait until your EI benefits have expired. You may then be eligible for CERB. If you applied for Employment Insurance (EI) after March 15. The Canada Emergency Benefit will then replace the Employment Insurance you were supposed to receive. You do not need to apply again. Your current application will be converted into an application for CERB.

When can you apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is available to apply starting April 6, 2020. The benefit is available from March 15, 2020, to October 3, 2020 and you can apply no later than December 2, 2020. Each payment of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) covers a 4-week period, beginning March 15, 2020. When you apply, it is for a single payment for the 4-week period. If your situation continues, you can apply for an additional 4-week period, up to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods in total).

Where can you apply for the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
You can apply either online with CRA My Account or over the phone with an automated phone service at 1-800-959-2019. The CRA will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque, based on the payment method we have on file for you.

The best day of the week to apply once the system is available is as below: