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Canada Emergency Response Benefit applications open Monday

Support is coming for those who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19. Canada’s Prime Minister announced on Sunday that the government’s pandemic emergency response benefit will kick in this week.
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Photo: Pixabay

Support is coming for those who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19.

Canada’s Prime Minister announced on Sunday that the government’s pandemic emergency response benefit will kick in this week.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide residents, who have lost their jobs or income, a temporary income support of $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

CERB will be available to Canadians workers who are over the age of 15 and must have an income of at least $5,000 last year or 12 months before their date of application.

Workers must have stopped worked because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their jobs. They are or are expecting to be without an income for at least 14 consecutive days in the first four-week period.

Residents who are qualified for employment insurance (EI) benefits can still apply for EI.

Eligible applicants for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15 or later will have their claims automatically processed through the CERB portal.

Applications for CERB will begin on April 6 with applicants being asked to apply over four days depending on their month of birth as follows:

 Month of birth  Apply for CERB on  Best day to apply on      
 January, February or March  Mondays  April 6
 April, May or June  Tuesdays  April 7
 July, August or September  Wednesdays  April 8
 October, November or December  Thursdays  April 9
 Any month  Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays  

For more information and to apply, visit canada.ca