On March 25, the Federal Government announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), a simplified taxable benefit that combines the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.
CERB would provide up to $2,000 per month for up to four months. CERB is intended to be available to workers facing an income loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including those who are still employed but whose pay is disrupted by COVID-19. The intended beneficiaries of CERB include:
- workers who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19;
- working parents who are forced to stay at home due to daycare/school closures or to take care of someone sick with COVID-19;
- contract works and self-employed workers who are otherwise ineligible for employment insurance (EI), such as creators; and
- Canadians who are already receiving EI but whose benefits are ending before October 3, 2020.
CERB benefits are intended to be available within 10 days of application, and will be available for the period from March 15 through October 3.
The Government has proposed legislation for CERB. More information will follow as updates become available. For general inquiries, the following lines are available:Phone: Phone: 613-369-3710
Fax: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca
