Has Your Employment Been Affected by Covid-19?

 I know many of our members have been impacted by the Covid -19 pandemic either through their work or home environment. Some have had time off work over the last 10 months, including those that still haven’t returned to work since March.

If you have applied for any government program such as EI, CERB or need to apply to the 2 newest programs. CRCB and CRSB, I really recommend you keep records of all your dates. Note when you have worked, were laid off, were on work share or had your weekly hours shortened.  Keep them for the next 2 years because they may audit your claim later and your pay stubs and written details, with dates will be helpful if that occurs.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Link to CRSB:  Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) – Canada.ca

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. The CRCB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

If you are eligible for the CRCB, your household can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.

If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 26 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. The 26 weeks do not need to be taken consecutively.

How much you receive per period

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides a payment of $500 (before taxes withheld) per household for each 1-week period applied for. After the CRA withholds a 10% tax at source, the actual payment you get is $450 per 1-week period.

**Only one eligible individual in the same household (living as a family at the same address) can apply for the benefit per week. **

If you’re eligible, your payment amount will be the same for each period you’ve applied for, even if:

  • you are caring for more than one family member who needs supervised care
  • you worked for less than 50% of the work week

How eligibility periods work:

The CRCB does not renew automatically. If your situation continues, you must apply for each period separately. You may apply for any eligible 1-week period for up to 60 days after that period has ended.

If you started caring for a family member part way through a period, you can only apply for that period if you missed more than 50% of that work week. If you miss less than that, you need to wait to apply for the next eligibility period.

Period start and end dates:

Each 1-week period starts on a Sunday and ends on the following Saturday. You may start applying on the first Monday after the 1-week period you’re applying for has ended.

Call the recovery benefit line for general information about:

  • CRCB eligibility requirements
  • payments amount for each period
  • how and when to apply

After reading the information above, here are ways you can apply for the CRCB

 

Telephone number to apply for CRCB

Follow the guideline below before you call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

  1. Select your language preference: English or French
  2. Press ‘1’to apply for one of the new Canada recovery benefits
  3. Press ‘1’ to apply for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
  4. Follow the prompts to enter your information, including:
    • your SIN
    • confirmation of your postal code
    • date of birth
    • the period you are applying for

5. Certify that you qualify for the benefit

 

Apply for CRCB Online

  1. Go to canada.ca
  2. Click English
  3. Under most requested click COVID-19 financial assistance
  4. Under Support for individuals/ Individuals and families, CLICK Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
  5. Read through the overview and click to apply.
  6. Follow the guideline and answer per your personal situation

 

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

Link to CRSB :   Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) – Canada.ca

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The CRSB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

If you are eligible for the CRSB, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.

If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 2 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

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

1.You are sick with COVID-19 or may have COVID-19

  1. You are advised to self-isolate due to COVID-19

Who can advise you too self-isolate?

  • your employer
  • a medical practitioner
  • a nurse practitioner
  • a person in authority
  • the government
  • your public health authority

You have an underlying health condition that puts you at greater risk of getting COVID-19.

Who can advise you to stay at home due to your health condition?

  • a medical practitioner
  • a nurse practitioner
  • a person in authority
  • the government
  • your public health authority

And you did not apply for or receive any of the following for the same period:

  • Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
  • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
  • short-term disability benefits
  • Employment Insurance (EI) benefits

Each 1-week period starts on a Sunday and ends on the following Saturday. You may start applying on the first Monday after the 1-week period you’re applying for has ended.

Your eligibility ends after 2, 1-week periods

The benefit is available between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. You can no longer receive CRSB payments after you have reached the maximum of 2 periods.

Your eligibility cannot be extended, even if you:

  • are sick or self-isolating due to COVID-19 for more than 2 periods
  • become sick or are self-isolating due to COVID-19 again between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021

 

Dedicated CRCB & CRSB Phone Number Hours for General Information:       

Telephone number: 1-833-966-2099
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED

CLOSED ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

***It is up to you to verify your eligibility!

 

Before you call

To verify your identity, you’ll need your:

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • postal code
  • date of birth
  • Have a pen and paper ready to note down information during the call.

The CRCB and CRSB is run through the CRA. I do not have any access to the CRA for any assistance. You are responsible for the claims you make, so please keep record of what you do. Please read through the full application carefully to ensure your eligibility and then answer all of the questions truthfully in your application.

For any questions that I may be able to help you with, you may contact me at the union hall, M-F, 8:00am-4:00pm.

In Solidarity,

Steve McMullen
Financial Secretary-Treasurer
Local 199, 124 Bunting Rd., St. Catharines, ON   L2P 3G5

T :  905-682-2611, ext. 227;   C :  905-964-6285
F :  905-682-9393   E :  financialsecretary@unifor199.org

For a printable copy click here  Steve McMullen AFFECTED BY COVID?