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Applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit are Now Open

Applications are now open for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which provides financial assistance to those who lost their employment due to the pandemic. The benefit provides a payment of $500 per week for up to 16 weeks.

Eligibility

The benefit is available to workers who:

  • Reside in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
  • Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;
  • Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
  • Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income. *NOTE* The government announced that there will be a benefit available for those who are still working up to 10 hours per week.

How to apply 

When to apply 

  • To prevent overloading online and phone systems, the government is accepting applications on the following days of the week based on your date of birth, as follows:
    • Mondays: January, February March
    • Tuesdays: April, May June
    • Wednesdays: July, August, September
    • Thursdays: October, November December
    • Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: Any date of birth

Have more questions?

What if I am not eligible?