If you have lost income because of COVID-19, this benefit will provide you with temporary income of $500 per week for up to 16 weeks.
This benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19.
Highlights:
The benefit will be available to workers:
- Living in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- Who have stopped working because of COVID-10 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits;
- Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
- Who 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 benefits periods, they expect to have no employment income.
Applications will begin being accepted starting April 6, 2020.
If you were born in January, February or March, you may apply April 6 and any Monday thereafter.
If you were born in April, May or June, you may apply April 7 and any Tuesday thereafter.
If you were born in July, August or September, you may apply April 8 and any Wednesday thereafter.
If you were born in October, November or December, you may apply April 9 and any Thursday thereafter.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are also available for applications from everyone eligible.
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.
Starting April 6, 2020, there will be a single portal to assist you with the application process.
Until then, Canadians who are eligible for Employment Insurance and who have lost their job 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.
If you are currently collecting EI, you do not apply for CERB. When your EI benefits end, then you may apply for CERB.
If you have applied for EI but have not received your benefits yet, you do not apply for CERB.
If your EI claim started before March 15, 2020 your claim will be processed under the pre-existing EI rules.
If you became eligible for EI after March 15, 2020, your claim will automatically be processed through the CERB.
Click here for additional details.
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