Starting today, some of those who have lost income due to COVID-19 will be able to apply for the new federal emergency benefit.
The Canada Revenue Agency has established both a website and telephone system to apply for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB).
Eligible applicants will receive a payment of $2,000 for a four-week period, for up to 16 weeks.
The benefit is available for the period between March 15 and October 3, 2020.
About 240,000 people successfully applied in the first few hours of the program.
People who have already applied for EI do not need to reapply. To date, over 1.2-million of the EI applications received since March 15 have been processed through the new CERB.
Anyone looking for more information can apply online or call the toll-free line at 1-833-966-2099.
View eligibility requirements at this link.
Applications for the CERB will be rolled out in phases, starting with those born in the first three months of the year. Those born in other months will be able to apply later this week.
The dates are as follows:
If born in January, February or March: You may apply on April 6. (Or on Mondays.)
If born in April, May, or June: You may apply on April 7. (Or on Tuesdays.)
If born in July, August, or September: You may apply on April 8. (Or on Wednesdays.)
If born in October, November, or December: You may apply on April 9. (Or on Thursdays.)
Applications will be also be open from Friday to Sunday for people born in any month.
The CRA says the staggered dates are to avoid overwhelming their online and telephone systems.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau says it is expected that the benefit will cost approximately $24-billion.
