Basic information on the Federal Government’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit

What is it?

If you have lost income because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide you with temporary income support.

The CERB will provide you with $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

Who can apply for the CERB?

Any resident of Canada who is 15 years old or older, and who, for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day on which they make an application has a total income of at least $5,000 from:

• employment; or
• self-employment; or
• EI maternity benefits; or
• EI parental benefits.

Who qualifies for the CERB?

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit applies to an extremely broad group of workers in Canada. It covers Canadians including those who:

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

How much will I get?

$2,000 for every 4 weeks you are eligible, up to a maximum of 16 weeks, between March 15, 2020 (retroactive) and October 3, 2020.

If I have kept my job but my income has decreased because of the crisis, do I qualify?

Not in all cases. The program is divided into four-week increments. In order to receive benefits, you will have to show that you have absolutely no income for a minimum period of 14 consecutive days within each four-week period. However, income can be received on the other days.

This means that a worker who had two part-time jobs and loses one of them because of COVID-19 is not eligible.

If my spouse still has his or her salary, does that affect my claim?

No. You’re still entitled to the $2,000 a month.

I have already applied for Employment Insurance. Am I eligible?

Yes, if you applied after March 15, CERB 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.

If you applied before March 15, you will have to wait until your EI benefits have expired. You may then be eligible for CERB.

If I’m already on EI, will I get the $2,000 a month?

Not immediately. You will have to wait until your EI benefits run out before you are able to collect the CERB. The two amounts are not cumulative.

Is there a limit to the number of cheques per household?

No. For example, if five people who live in the same household meet the criteria, they can all receive the $2,000 per month.

Will I be entitled to $2,000 a month even if I earned less than that amount before I lost my income?

Yes, you will receive $2,000 per month if you earned at least $5,000 in the previous 12 months.

So your monthly income may increase temporarily, but keep in mind that the program is for a maximum of 4 months.

When can I apply?

You can now apply for the Federal Government’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit by going to Canada.ca/coronavirus.

When will I receive my cheque?

The first cheque should be received approximately 10 days after you apply.

And when will I stop receiving my cheque?

You will stop receiving this cheque after four months, or sooner if you return to work.

What steps do I need to take to register?

You will need to register on a new website that will be set up the week of April 6 by the federal government. The address of this site has not yet been released.

Will I be able to call a phone number to register if I don’t have access to the Internet?

Yes, but the federal government has not yet released the number.

How often will the money be paid out?

The money will be paid every four weeks.

Is the $2,000 taxable?

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

For more information visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html