04/07/2020
As of yesterday, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has begun accepting applications under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CERB provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4 week period up to 16 weeks.
To be eligible for the CERB, you must meet all of the following criteria:
1. Resident in Canada;
2. Age 15 or older;
3. Have stopped working for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four week period that started March 15, 2020. In the subsequent benefit periods, you expect to have no employment or self-employed income;
4. You have not quit your job voluntarily;
5. Not receiving regular EI;
6. Have earned at least $5,000 of income in 2019 or in the last 12 months prior to the date of your application form which is:
a. Employment income
b. Self-employed income
c. Maternity or paternity benefits
d. Dividends from your corporation that are non-eligible dividends.
If you meet the criteria above, you can apply through your My Account with CRA and if you do not have one set up, you can call to apply at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.
Given the volume of potential applications, you are eligible to apply based on the month you were born:
- If you were born January, February, March, you can apply on April 6th.
- If you were born April, May, June, you can apply on April 7th.
- If you were born July, August, September, you can apply on April 8th.
- If you were born October, November, December, you can apply on April 9th.
- After that, you can apply any time, but no later than December 2, 2020.
Here is a link for questions concerning CERB.
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, you should apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, whether or not you are eligible for Employment Insurance. The Benefit is available for the period from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020.
