Dear Readers,
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the $2,000 per month benefit paid to workers or self-employed Canadians, who have lost their jobs due to the downturn associated with COVID-19, is now accepting applications. CERB 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 and the benefit is available from March 15 to October 3. You can apply no later than December 2.
You are eligible for CERB if you have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits; you had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and you 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, you expect to have no employment income. If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, you should apply for CERB, even if you are eligible for Employment Insurance.
A single portal to assist you with the application process has been posted. To help manage the volume of requests, there are specific dates on which you are allowed to apply for CERB: if you were born in January, February or March it is advised to apply for CERB on Monday’s; if you were born in April, May or June it is advised to apply on Tuesday’s; if you were born in July, August, or September it is advised to apply on Wednesday’s; and if you were born in October, November or December it is advised to apply on Thursday’s and the best day to apply is today. On Friday’s, Saturday’s or Sunday’s any month of birth is able to apply.
Canadians who are eligible for Employment Insurance, and who have lost their jobs can continue to apply for Employment Insurance. If you applied for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, your claim will be automatically processed through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. In addition, for other EI benefits including maternity, parental, caregiving, fishing and work-sharing, you should also continue to apply.
The Government advises that Canadians who still have jobs but are working 10 hours or less due to the pandemic, such as gig economy or contract workers, as well as those who are working but earning less money than they would if they received the CERB, such as long-term care workers, will soon be able to qualify for federal assistance. There are groups of people who are not benefiting from CERB who probably should. The Government is looking carefully at how it can increase their pay slightly so that they will be better off remaining at work, rather than going off work and receiving the CERB.
If you have any more questions about eligibility or how the CERB program will work, send an email to [email protected].
Sincerely,
Cheryl Gallant, M.P. Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
