With numbers rising in new COVID-19 cases, Canadians are still in need of financial help. As CERB is no longer available, the government has come out with three new benefit aid plans to further assist Canadians during these difficult times.
The plans include: The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) and the Canada Recovery SIckness Benefit (CRSB). It’s been projected that over 4 million people are still in need of financial aid with CERB no longer available for collection.
With most Canadians now moved onto a more flexible EI plan, those who are not eligible for EI but are still unable to work due to the pandemic are able to apply to the three new temporary benefit plans.
Taking a deeper dive into the new plans, the CRB will provide $500 a week for 26 weeks. You are able to apply for this plan if you have stopped working due to the virus, or had your income impaired by a minimum of 50 per cent due to the virus. You must also not be an eligible EI applicant. This program is applied through an online portal, you can register through the CRA’s My Account portal.
The CRSB will provide $500 per week for up to two weeks for workers who are sick or self isolating and unable to go into work. This benefit will also cover those who are unable to work due to a compromised immune system.
The final benefit plan, CRBC, is designed to help those who are unable to work because they need to care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools and daycares are closed. Along with those who are caring for someone who is sick or quarantined. This plan entitled the recipient to $500 a week for up to 26 weeks per household. As the guidelines of this plan are loose, if you are found to be ineligible, you will be required to pay back the amount you received.
These plans are more specific in their guidelines than CERB was in order to sway away from people applying who aren’t entitled to the benefits, as many Canadians are in the process of now returning their CERB payments due to confusion on whether they were entitled to it in the first place.
All programs are open for application as of today, through the Government of Canada website.
Comments