The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) officially launches today.
The CERB will provide relief to workers whether they are eligible for EI or not if they have lost their jobs, are sick, quarantined, or are taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
It also provides benefits to parents who must stay home without pay to care for children; and contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for EI.
The CERB will provide $500 per week for up to 16 weeks.
In order to reduce the strain on the online portal, the government is asking Canadians to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit on specific days of the week depending on their birth month.
The CERB applies to wage earners, contract workers and self-employed individuals who meet the following:
- Workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support
- Workers who are sick, quarantined or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19
- Working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school or daycare closures
- Workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently no sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work
- Wage-earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would otherwise not be eligible for Employment Insurance
CERB payments are expected to start within 10 days of application.
Applicants who provide direct deposit information to their bank may be able to receive payments faster (within 3 business days).
For more details, please click here.
If you stopped working because of #COVID19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit may provide you with temporary income support of $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. Your day to apply depends on your birth month. Details: https://t.co/BQ5H6gbzTH pic.twitter.com/OWH1ufJ6s4
— Prime Minister of Canada (@CanadianPM) April 5, 2020