Emplyment Insurance – COVID-19

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 24 weeks or until October 3, 2020, whichever comes first.

How to apply for the CERB

Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) deliver this benefit jointly. You can apply through one or the other, but not both. To help you determine if you should apply through Service Canada or the CRA, visit the Canada Emergency Response Benefit webpage. Apply as soon as possible after you stop working. Don’t wait for your record of employment.

If you have recently applied for Employment Insurance (EI) regular or sickness benefits, do not re-apply. Your application will automatically be assessed to determine if you are eligible for the CERB.
A medical certificate is not required for EI claims beginning March 15, 2020 or later.

If you’ve applied for the CERB through Service Canada

You will be paid based on the reports you submit. You can report every 2 weeks and get paid $1,000 biweekly or you can choose to only report every 4 weeks and get paid $2,000 once a month. The maximum amount you can be paid is $12,000 for 24 weeks.

Complete your reports to continue getting paid

While you are receiving the CERB, you must complete reports to show that you are eligible and to continue getting paid. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. you will receive a 4-digit Access Code by email or mail
  2. use the Access Code to complete your report using the Internet Reporting Service or call 1-800-531-7555
  3. continue completing reports when they’re due to continue getting paid

To provide benefits as quickly as possible, Service Canada may issue your Access Code to the email address you provided when you applied for EI benefits or the CERB. You will also receive this same Access Code by letter in the mail.

Vincent Filice
EI Sub Rep
905-641-6419