Guide: Transition from CERB to Three New Recovery Benefits

Posted: Oct 6, 2020

Topic: Income Support

Source: FNLC

Background:

On September 27, 2020, Bill C-4: COVID Response Measures received Royal Assent. This legislation outlines provisions for three new recovery benefits in response to COVID-19 to support Canadian citizens.

Application:

As of today, October 5th 2020, applications for two (Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit) of the three benefits are available via Canada Revenue Agency’s My Account (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals.html) or via phone (1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041). The third benefit is the Canada Recovery Benefit; applications for this will also be made via My Account or phone and will open on October 12. Taxes will be withheld at the source with the administration of these three new benefits.

Benefit Details:

BenefitAmountDurationConditions
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)$500 per weekMaximum of 2 weeks

You are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because you’re self-isolating for one of the following reasons:

  • You are sick with COVID-19 or may have COVID-19
  • You are advised to self-isolate due 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 Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)$500 per weekMaximum of 26 weeks per household

You are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because you must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member.

You are caring for your child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care because they are at home for one of the following reasons:

  • Their school, daycare, day program, or care facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19
  • Their regular care services are unavailable due to COVID-19
  • The person under your care is:
    • sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19
    • at risk of serious health complications if they get COVID-19, as advised by a medical professional
    • self-isolating due to COVID-19
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)$500 per weekMaximum of 26 weeks per worker

During the period you’re applying for:

  • you were not working for reasons related to COVID-19
  • you had a 50% reduction in your average weekly income compared to the previous year due to COVID-19

For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

Click here to download this information sheet as a PDF.