Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented economic crisis that followed, many Canadians have been relying on federal and provincial benefits programs to make ends meet.
But now that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit—the largest aid program available to struggling residents—is coming to an end, some new benefits are expected to take its place.
The Trudeau government received unanimous approval from the House of Commons early Wednesday morning for a variety of measures aimed at providing economic relief to Canadians.
Bill C-4 contains three new benefits intended to replace CERB, which is set to end on October 3, 2020.
Here is a quick breakdown of the programs and how people will be able access them.
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
The first benefit outlined in Bill C-4 most closely resembles the outgoing CERB program. It offers weekly payments of $500, for two-week periods, after which recipients must reapply.
Applicants may apply for up to 13 two-week periods, until September 25, 2021.
The CRB is available for residents of Canada who:
- Have a valid social insurance number (SIN)
- Are over the age of 15
- Earned at least $5,000 in the past year, from employment income, self employed income, Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or pregnancy/child benefits
- Lost at least 50 per cent of their income due to COVID-19
- Are not currently receiving EI
- Are actively seeking work and/or have not declined either reasonable offers to return to work or new offers of employment
- Are not receiving either of the other two benefits outlined in Bill C-4 (more below)
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
This benefit is very similar to CRB, but is intended for people who have either contracted or may have contracted COVID-19.
It offers a $500 payment for a maximum of two weeks to people who lose work due to self-isolating, contracting the virus, or from being more susceptible due to underlying conditions.
CRSB requires that applicants be residents of Canada who:
- Have a valid SIN
- Are over the age of 15
- Earned at least $5,000 in the past year, from employment income, self employed income, EI benefits, or pregnancy/child benefits
- Lost at least 50 per cent of their income due to COVID-19
- Are not currently receiving EI
- Are not receiving either of the other two benefits outlined in Bill C-4
CRSB will also be implemented until September 25, 2021.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The last of three benefit streams is targeted for parents and caregivers of children and family members in need of supervised care.
Like the other two programs, it offers $500 payments, in this case for single-week periods up to a maximum of 26 weeks. It also is set to end on September 25, 2021.
The same eligibility criteria as CRSB applies, except the person applying should have lost income due to:
- Caring for a child under 12 who missed school due to COVID-19
- Caring for a child under 12 who contracted COVID-19 or is at serious risk of contracting COVID-19
- Caring for a family member who requires supervised care and was unable to attend a day program or facility due to it being closed for COVID-19 related reasons
- Caring for a family member who requires supervised care and was unable to attend a day program or facility due to the family member either contracting COVID-19 or self-isolating due to COVID-19 related reasons
The bill was introduced to the Senate Wednesday afternoon, but is expected to pass with benefits beginning as soon as next week.
