COVID - 19: The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

We will provide updates on the CERB application process as we receive them.

Am I eligible for CERB benefits?

• To qualify for CERB benefits, applicants must (a) be a resident of Canada, (b) be 15 years or older, and (c) have had a total income of at least $5,000 (combined) in 2019 or in the 12 months immediately preceding the application, from any of the following sources;
  • Employment income,
  • Self-employment income, and
  • Maternity or parental leave benefits.
• Additionally, to be eligible for the CERB benefit, a worker must receive no income for 14 consecutive days in a 4-week period for which they apply for benefits. This means no income from:
  • Employment or self-employment;
  • Employment Insurance;
  • Any allowances/money/benefits in respect of pregnancy or parental leave, including adoption; or
  • Any other income prescribed by regulation, no regulations have been passed to date.

The CERB is a taxable benefit, but the Government has announced that tax recovery will be deferred. Further details are unavailable at this time.

To support workers and help businesses keep their employees, the government has ratified the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB would be a simpler and more accessible combination of the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.

The CREB collapses the previously proposed Emergency Care and Emergency Support benefits.  Canadians will be eligible for this benefit as long as they meet at least one of the following criteria:

Canadians who are already receiving EI regular and sickness benefits as of today would continue to receive their benefits and should not apply to the CERB. If their EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, they could apply for the CERB once their EI benefits cease, if they are unable to return to work due to COVID-19. Canadians who have already applied for EI and whose application has not yet been processed would not need to reapply. Canadians who are eligible for EI regular and sickness benefits would still be able to access their normal EI benefits, if still unemployed, after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

So everyone should first apply for the CERB; after the CERB benefit runs out, if still unemployed, employees should then apply for EI.

1.    Wage earners, contract workers and self-employed people who don't qualify for employment insurance (EI).
2.     Workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
3.     Workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
4.      Working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
5.      Workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.

This benefit will essentially be available to all working Canadians unless they continue to be paid their wage during the specified period of March 15 - October 3, 2020.

According to the CBC reporting on the CERB:

"The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Additionally, workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, would also qualify for the CERB. This would help businesses keep their employees as they navigate these difficult times, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.

The EI system was not designed to process the unprecedented high volume of applications received in the past week. Given this situation, all Canadians who have ceased working due to COVID-19, whether they are EI-eligible or not, would be able to receive the CERB to ensure they have timely access to the income support they need.

Canadians who are already receiving EI regular and sickness benefits as of today would continue to receive their benefits and should not apply to the CERB. If their EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, they could apply for the CERB once their EI benefits cease, if they are unable to return to work due to COVID-19. Canadians who have already applied for EI and whose application has not yet been processed would not need to reapply. Canadians who are eligible for EI regular and sickness benefits would still be able to access their normal EI benefits, if still unemployed, after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

The government is working to get money into the pockets of Canadians as quickly as possible. The portal for accessing the CERB would be available in early April. EI eligible Canadians who have lost their job can continue to apply for EI here, as can Canadians applying for other EI benefits.

Canadians would begin to receive their CERB payments within 10 days of application. The CERB would be paid every four weeks and be available from March 15, 2020 until October 3, 2020".

How Do I Apply

The online portal to apply for the CERB will be available in early April, and people can expect payments within 10 days of application.  CERB payments will be issued every 4 weeks, and will be available from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020.

You will also be able to apply via an automated telephone line or via a toll-free number.