Things you need to know about the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a newly revamp stimulus package that will help Canadian during this COVID-19 pandemic. The House of Commons and the Senate passed the bill today.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will give you $2,000 a month for up to 4 months if you are qualified. This will be a big help for everybody who is directly and indirectly impacted by this disease.

“The hard truth is people are out of work because of this crisis and worried about what comes next. So I want you to know that we’ll be there to help you. Our government is doing everything we can to be there for you,” he said.

Here are the things you should know about the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Who Qualifies for CERB?

• If you lost your job (laid off), 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.

When and How do people apply?

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

What about those already collecting EI?

• If you are already receiving employment insurance (EI) regular and sickness benefits will continue to receive it. You should not apply to the CEB.
• If you already have applied EI and whose application has not yet been processed, you don’t need to reapply.

Canadians who are eligible for regular EI and sickness benefits can still access those benefits if they’re still unemployed after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

source: cbc.ca