The online application portal for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is open as of today April 6.
The CERB provides financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week) for up to 16 weeks. After you apply, you should get your payment in 3 business days if you signed up for direct deposit. If you haven’t, you should get it in about 10 business days.
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
- You reside in Canada
- You are 15 years old or more when you apply
- For your first CERB application: You have stopped or will stop working due to reasons related to COVID-19. For at least 14 days in a row for the period you are applying for, you will not receive employment income, self-employment income, provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave
- For your subsequent CERB applications: You continue to not work due to reasons related to COVID-19. For the 4 week period you are applying for, you will not receive employment income, self-employment income, provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.
- You have not quit your job voluntarily
- You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period
- You earned a minimum of $5,000 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
Eligibility periods
Eligibility periods are fixed in 4-week periods between March 15 and October 3, 2020. If your situation continues, you can re-apply for CERB for multiple 4-week periods, to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods). You can apply no later than December 2, 2020.
How to apply
There are two ways to apply:
- Online with CRA My Account. (Scroll down for link.) If you apply online you will need a CRA My Account and your payment will be delivered by direct deposit or cheque. If you already signed up with My Service Canada, you can access the CRA My Account portal there.
- Over the phone with an automated phone service. 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041. You will need your social insurance number (SIN) and postal code.
Both services are open daily for 21 hours, closed for maintenance between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Best day to apply:
Click HERE to apply or for more information.
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html