COVID-19: Canada Emergency Response Benefit Extended till September End

The coronavirus pandemic has created havoc in the lives of people. It has impacted them emotionally, mentally, and financially. The Government of Canada has been implementing various new measures to help people in distress. The federal government’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit is one of them. Canada Emergency Response Benefit: CERB is a temporary program that provides funds to people who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. Through this program, an individual is entitled to receive $2,000 per month. It helps to ease the financial burden on immigrants who are facing hardship due to the ongoing crisis. Self-employed individuals are also allowed to access the CERB scheme. Canada has recently extended the CERB to the September end. So, the total duration of this scheme has become 28 weeks now. And therefore, individuals will get benefits for an additional month now.

Are you eligible for the CERB?

To be eligible for the CERB income support program, international students and temporary foreign workers have to meet the same criteria that are set for Canadians. A temporary foreign worker must live in Canada and possess a Social Insurance Number.

New Benefits Programs

Canada has already proposed three new benefit schemes that might be offered to those people who are unable to manage their livelihood due to financial hardship. People who are not eligible for the Employment Insurance program can apply for the three new benefits that will start from September 27.

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

Individuals who are self-employed and do not have access to Employment Insurance will get $400 every week for a period of 26 weeks. This will provide them income support to make their ends meet.

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

Workers who are sick and need to isolate themselves due to COVID-19 will get $500 per week under the CRSB. This benefit is valid for two weeks only. Also, workers will not be allowed to take sick leave allowance if they are engaged with the CRSB.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Under the CRCB program, families will receive $500 per week if an individual is not able to work as he or she is engaged in the following kinds of caregiving responsibilities:

Taking care of a school child who is under 12 years of age and is staying at home;
A dependent or a specially-abled family member whose daycare program is closed due to COVID-19;
Any other family member who is at a higher risk for COVID-19 and needs care facility as advised by health professionals.

All these three programs will start from September 27 and any Canadian resident with a valid Social Insurance Number and a minimum age of 15 years will be able to receive benefits through any of these three programs.

Easy access to CERB for temporary workers and international students

The Canadian Government implemented a special measure that makes eligible temporary workers and international students apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Individuals do not require proof of valid work permit or study permit. The verbal confirmation itself stands as proof. This change was facilitated to provide support and financial aid to foreign workers and international students in these difficult times of the coronavirus crisis.