Helping Canadians during COVID-19

When Canadians needed support the most, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit was there to help support nearly nine million people pay their bills and be there for their families.

In August, we announced the next steps in our government’s plan to support Canadians through this pandemic. Our plan includes a seamless transition to EI coupled with the creation of 3 new benefits to ensure that no Canadian worker is left behind. Our goal during this transition from emergency to recovery is to provide Canadian workers with the certainty and comfort they can count on over the longer term. No matter what stage or phase of recovery communities are in, we will leave no one behind.

Employment Insurance (EI) Program 

We made temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians looking for work.

As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:

• were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
• received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
• stopped working through no fault of your own
• have not quit your job voluntarily
• are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
• are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)

If you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits.

Apply to Employment Insurance

If you are not eligible for EI please consider reviewing the 3 new benefits below. 

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit

The CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:

• Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
• Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
• have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit

The CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

• unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
• because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.

Canadians who are not eligible for Employment Insurance can apply for the Canada Recovery Benefit:

• The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Mortgage Payment Deferral 

Homeowners facing financial hardship may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral of up to six months.

The deferral is an agreement between you and your lender. Typically, the agreement indicates that you and your lender have agreed to pause or suspend your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time. After the agreement ends, your mortgage payments return to normal and the deferred payments — including principal and accumulated interest – are added to the outstanding principal balance and subsequently repaid throughout the life of the mortgage.

To know if you are eligible for a mortgage payment deferral or to learn what options are available, contact your lender — your bank or your mortgage professional.

For more information click here.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) This program has now ended. 

This benefit will provide $2,000 a month for up individuals that have lost their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians will begin to receive their CERB payments within 3-5 days via direct deposit and 10 days by mail.

Updates related to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit transitioning to the Employment Insurance program can be found here. 

EI Sickness Benefits

The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined, so they can be paid for the first week of their claim. The requirement to provide a medical certificate will also be waived.

EI Work Sharing Program

We are Implementing the EI Work Sharing Program, which provides EI benefits to workers who agree to reduce their normal working hour as a result of developments beyond the control of their employers, by extending the eligibility of such agreements to 76 weeks, easing eligibility requirements, and streamlining the application process.

Wage Boost for Essential Workers 

The Government of Canada will provide up to $3 billion in support to increase the wages of low-income essential workers. Each province or territory will determine which workers would be eligible for support, and how much support they will receive. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced in May 2020 that all provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to cost share wage top-ups for their essential workers.