To help ease the financial burden of Covid-19, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Government is providing financial assistance to employed and self employed Canadians. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide a $2,000 taxable benefit for up to 4 months. The benefit is available for those who are directly affected by Covid-19. We’ve listed the criteria below.
Criteria
- Individuals who have stopped working and who do not have paid leave or other sources of income may qualify for CERB.
- Individuals who are sick, quarantined or taking care of someone who is sick with coronavirus may qualify.
- Parents who have to stay home without pay because they have to take care of children who are sick or out of school/daycare may qualify.
- Individuals who are still employed but not being paid because lack of work due to the employer asking them not to come in, may qualify.
- Wage earners, self employed and contract workers who cannot qualify for Regular EI Benefits, may qualify.
Those who qualify can apply either apply over the phone by dialing 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041 or though their MyCRA Portal. Those who qualify will get their payments in 3 days if they’ve signed up for direct deposit and 10 days via cheque.
Periods of Eligibility
Initial Application
CERB has been broken down to multiple 4 weeks periods up to a maximum of 16 weeks which is 4 months. The initial application is the first period. To be eligible for the initial application, you must:
- You must a Canadian resident and at least 15 years old or more.
- Your employment has stopped due to Covid-19
- You’re not planning to receive any other sources of income such as
- Employment Income
- Self Employment Income
- Maternity or Paternity Benefits
Subsequent Periods
After the initial 4 week period, you must continue to be eligible for CERB.
- You continue not to be employed due to Covid-19
- You’re not received any employment income as detailed above.
- You have not quit your job on purpose
- You have not applied for CERB or Employment Insurance benefits for the same eligibility period.
- You earned a minimum of $5,000 in salary in 2019 or the last 12 months from either:
- Employment Income
- Self Employment Income
- Maternity or Paternity Benefits
How To Apply
Canadians who can qualify may apply either at:
- MyCRA Account Portal
- Over the Automated Phone Line – 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041
- Before you apply over the phone, make sure you have your social insurance number and postal code.
Dates to Apply
To help ease the flow of traffic, CRA is encouraging Canadians to apply based on their date of births.
| If you were born in the month of | Apply for CERB on | Your best day to apply |
|---|---|---|
| January, February or March | Mondays | April 6 |
| April, May, or June | Tuesdays | April 7 |
| July, August, or September | Wednesdays | April 8 |
| October, November, or December | Thursdays | April 9 |
| Any month | Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays |
Receiving Benefits
After initial application, the first payment should arrive within 3 business days into your bank account if direct deposit is set up with CRA. If direct deposit hasn’t been set up, then a cheque will arrive at your address within 10 business days. Keep in mind that you would have to re-apply for the benefits every 4 weeks if you’re still affected by Covid-19. Be aware that the benefits are taxable and the payments will have to reported in your 2020 tax filings.
