The government has announced Canada that it will be transitioning the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to Employment Insurance (EI).
The transition will create the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), it can be considered a replacement of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Recipients will be eligible to $500 per week.
To make life easier on Canadians, the CRA is providing a simple application process similar to that for the CERB, and applicants can apply either by phone or online through the CRA My Account Profile. The CRA will also implement additional verification and security measures upfront, to help ensure that we deliver benefit payments only to people who need them. All benefits will be available to Canadians for one year beginning September 27, 2020.
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Applications now open as of October 12th, 2020
The CRB comes with fewer eligibility requirements and expanded coverage:
Applies to gig, self-employed, and contract workers. The Government of Canada reduced the requirements of EI, 120 hours, which expands eligibility to cover over 400,000 more Canadians.
Summary:
- Recipients must have had an income of $5,000 last year from employment or self-employment income, must be residing and present in Canada.
- Recipients are required to be looking for work and accept it when reasonable to do so.
- The benefit will be paid out in two weeks installments.
- Payments will apply for the previous two week period.
- People will be able to attest to how much they have worked and if they have.
- Will be administered by CRA.
- You will be able to earn more, it will need to be repaid when you make up more than $38,000 including income (does not include the recovery benefit).
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
Applications now open as of October 5th, 2020
Allows Canadians without paid sick leave to take two weeks off because they contracted or might have contracted Covid-19. The government will pay them $500 per week to allow them to stay home.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
Applications now open as of October 5th, 2020
Available to Canadians who need to take care of a family member or child at risk of COVID-19.
Recipients are eligible for $500 per week for up to 26 weeks.
Learn more about all benefits and eligibility requirements here: Canada Revenue Agency Website
