FYI – Benefits Announced by the Government of Canada

Posted: April 3, 2020 by cvsadmin

We wanted to provide a summary of benefits that have been announced by the Government for our community. We hope this helps you all as you navigate some of the uncertainty that we are currently facing now as a society.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit – 4 month program

    • https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
    • To apply (on or after April 6) – use your MyCRA online account or call the number provided in the link
      • Specific instructions for how to apply by phone and online are included in the above link
      • Specific dates are available for applications based on your birth month (see above link)
  • You will need to reapply every month to continue receiving benefits
  • This is for people facing unemployment OR not able to work due to Covid-19 OR for those who are sick, quarantined, or in direct self-isolation, and who are NOT eligible for EI – this is only for individuals who are no longer earning any income due to Covid-19
  • Government of Canada will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month in a single payment ($500/week) for up to 4 months (16 weeks) to:
    • workers who must stop working due to COVID19 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 and daycare closures.
    • workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
    • wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

Regular EI

  • https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit.html
  • If someone was to get laid off for no fault of their own
  • Must be filed within 4 weeks of being laid off
  • Eligible if:
    • were employed in insurable employment;
    • lost your job through no fault of your own;
    • have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks;
    • have worked for the required number of insurable employment hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter;
    • are ready, willing and capable of working each day;
    • are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them).
  • Rate of pay is 55% of your insurable weekly earnings (max $52,200/year). Max weekly payment is $573/week
  • Can receive EI payments for a max of 45 weeks

EI (COVID-19 Quarantine)

EI (REGULAR) Sickness Benefits

  • https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html
  • For those who cannot work due to medical reasons
  • Eligible if
    • you\’re unable to work for medical reasons
    • your regular weekly earnings from work have decreased by more than 40% for at least one week
    • you accumulated 600 insured hours* of work in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or since the start of your last claim, whichever is shorter
  • Provides up to 15 weeks of payment
  • Rate of pay is 55% of your insurable weekly earnings (max $52,200/year). Max weekly payment is $573/week

EI (REGULAR) Caregiving Benefits & Leave

  • https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.html
  • For those who need to take time off to care for family (or someone “like” family)
  • Eligible if:
    • You are a family member of the person who is critically ill or injured or needing end-of-life care, or you are considered to be like a family member
    • Your regular weekly earnings from work have decreased by more than 40% for at least one week because you need to take time away from work to provide care or support to the person
    • You accumulated 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim, or since the start of your last claim, whichever is shorter. For example, 600 hours is equivalent to 15 weeks of work at 40 hours per week
    • A medical doctor or nurse practitioner has certified that the person you are providing care or support to is critically ill or injured or needing end-of-life care
  • Rate of pay is 55% of your insurable weekly earnings (max $52,200/year). Max weekly payment is $573/week

Child Benefit plan

If you are interested in learning about other benefits that are being offered such as cost reductions, housing and business benefits, please click here.

Category: COVID-19