With the recent state of emergency due to COVID-19 the government has rolled out various types of emergency funds to help support families who have impacted financially. The CERB

 

What is CERB ?

 

The CERB supports Canadians by providing financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19.

 

It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week) for up to 16 weeks.

 

After you apply, you should get your payment in 3 business days if you signed up for direct deposit. If you haven’t, you should get it in about 10 business days.

 

Who qualifies?

 

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

 

You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period

You did not quit your job voluntarily

You reside in Canada

You are 15 years old or more when you apply

You earned a minimum of $5,000 (before taxes) income in the last 12 months or in 2019 from one or more of the following sources:

employment income

self-employment income

provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

AND

 

You stopped or will stop working due to COVID-19, and:

You are applying for the first time

For at least 14 days in a row during the 4-week payment period, you do not expect to receive more than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-employment income

You are re-applying for another period

You do not expect your situation to change during this 4-week period and you do not expect to receive more than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-employment income

OR

 

You received regular EI benefits for at least 1 week since December 29, 2019

You are no longer eligible for EI benefits

 

But even with all these benefits a lot of individuals where left out. Due to not meeting the requirements. Many voice their opinions and frustrations with the governments initial requirements. Which forced the government to go back to drawing board and lower the monthly required income amount. But even with this new change thousands of post seconds students where left out.

 

On April 23rd Trudeau introduces that benefits would be added for students who are left without income due to the state of emergency as well. More of this information to come within the following days.