Today the Federal government introduced the senate approved emergency aid package called the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The revised package is set at $107BN, up from the originally announced $82BN last week. It is meant to be simpler, and amends some of the previous announcements on funds available to workers:
The benefit will now provide $2,000 a month for the next four months to workers not getting a pay cheque as a result of COVID-19.
It will cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or home because of school or daycare closures.
It applies to wage earners, contract workers, and self-employed people not otherwise eligible for EI.
CERB also applies to workers who are still employed but not receiving income due to disruptions to their work because of COVID-19. This way businesses can keep employees and be ready to restart operations quickly.
Recipients will receive their money within 10 days of applying. The portal opens the first week of April. If you are already receiving EI, you should not apply for CERB.
