Canadians Can Apply for Another $4,000 CERB Payment if They Are Still Unable to Work
Posted on Friday, July 17th, 2020 - 1,446 Reads
According to recent news, the CRA will be issuing CERB payments to Canadians in need of financial assistance for another eight weeks. For those who have not received a CERB payment and don’t know what it is, the CERB benefit is a $2,000 a month taxable benefit paid to workers who have lost their income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are in need of income support.
How Do I Know if I Quality for the CERB?
If you work and are at least 15 years of age; a resident of Canada; in 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day you apply with a total income of at least $5,000 from employment income, self-employment income, non-eligible dividends, benefits paid under the Employment Insurance Act, and/or allowances, money or other benefits paid under a provincial plan, you are eligible for the CERB benefit.
If you’re employed or self-employed and stop working due to COVID-19 for a minimum of 14 consecutive days within the four-week period since your last payment, you are eligible for the CERB benefit payment.
You must also state that you are actively seeking employment, not refuse to work when offered employment, and actively seek employment through Canada’s job bank.
In order to avoid being audited by the CRA, you have to make sure you’re 100% eligible to receive the benefit and you have truly been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you quit your job, are a non-resident living in Canada, or under the age of 15 you are not eligible for the CERB benefit.
Can I Earn Money and Still Collect the CERB?
You can earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB, and seasonal workers can collect it if they have run through their EI benefits. The government recently announced that the CERB benefit will be extended to October 3, 2020 and you will have to declare that you are looking for work and will work if the opportunity presents itself to you.
If you are continuing to receive EI and/or sickness benefits you are not eligible. If your EI expires before October 3, 2020, you can apply for the CERB if you’re not able to return to work because of COVID-19.
How Can You Apply for the CERB Benefit?
You can apply online here, or you can call 1-800-959-2019 to apply for the CERB over the phone.
By Lana Leigh McDole
Lana Leigh McDole is the owner of LLM Business Solutions. She studied accountancy at CGA Ontario in Ottawa Ontario and graduated in 2012. Her passion is her work and providing her customers with the best service possible, at the best prices.
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 226-802-0541