COVID-19 ASSISTANCE

NEW filing deadlines for Individuals, Self-employed, Corporations, Trusts, NR returns, Charities, Click here.

You May NOT apply for both CERB and CEWS.

NOTES  —

Eligibility periods are fixed in 4-week periods.
If your situation continues, you can re-apply for CERB for multiple 4-week periods, to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods).
If you start working again after you get a CERB payment, and then stop working, you need to re-apply for the CERB. When you re-apply, you must confirm that for at least 14 days in a row, during the period you are applying for, you won’t receive:

employment income
self-employment income
provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

ELIGIBILITY PERIOD  —

The CERB is now available if you earned $1,000 (before taxes) or less during an eligibility period. If this applies to your situation, you may be eligible to apply for a previous period, starting March 15, 2020.

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period
You did not quit your job voluntarily
You reside in Canada
You are 15 years old or more when you apply
You earned a minimum of $5,000 (before taxes) income in the last 12 months or in 2019 from one or more of the following sources:
employment income
self-employment income
provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

AND

You stopped or will stop working due to COVID-19, and:
You are applying for the first time
For at least 14 days in a row during the 4-week payment period, you do not expect to receive more than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-employment income
You are re-applying for another period
You do not expect your situation to change during this 4-week period and you do not expect to receive more than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-employment income

OR

You received regular EI benefits for at least 1 week since December 29, 2019
You are no longer eligible for EI benefits
You cannot apply for the CERB with CRA if you already applied through Service Canada
If you have already applied for Employment Insurance (EI) or for the CERB through Service Canada, you cannot apply for the CERB with the CRA.
If you are applying for the CERB for the first time, and not sure where to apply, answer the questions under Get Started, on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit page. We will direct you to the service option that best fits your situation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CERB HAVE CHANGED  —

You may phone in your CERB application or register with the CRA first. We are not able to apply for CERB financial assistance on your behalf. 

Applicants who set up direct deposit are expected to receive a first payment within three to five days. Those who use mail should receive a first payment within 10 days. Payment is $2,000 a month for up to four months.

Anyone who has already been approved for EI benefits will be moved over to the new emergency benefit CERB.

To apply by phone, Canadians should call the automated toll-free line at 1-800-959-2019. This is a dedicated line for CERB applications. Before people call, they should have their social insurance number and postal code handy to verify their identity.

Both of these services will be available 21 hours a day, seven days a week. Both services are closed from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. ET for maintenance. For more information, click here.

Applicants will need to confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria, and information that they provide during the application process may be verified later, the government said. The benefit is available from March 15 to Oct. 3. The deadline for applications is Dec. 2.
You should also make sure your direct deposit and mailing information is up to date with the CRA.

APPLICATION  —

Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (ceRb) assistance

 INFORMATION  —