COVID-19 CERB Update

COVID-19: CERB Benefit Period Extended

When the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced, the program provided $500/week to a maximum of 16 weeks, running from April to early July.  On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an extension to the CERB program for another eight weeks.  The requirement to re-apply every four weeks will remain to confirm the applicant continues to meet the current criteria.

The extension to CERB will come with stronger language, noting the applicant must be actively seeking and taking work “when reasonable in their circumstances to do so.”  Acceptable reasons for Canadians not accepting work include not having access to childcare or having COVID-19 symptoms. While the initial qualification criteria seemed lax, the government is promising to follow up on applications to ensure proper entitlement.

After this eight week extension of CERB, there does not appear to be any plans to extend the program further.

[ As the government introduces new relief measures and modifies previously introduced measures, they update their COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website.  This site is an excellent resource for all who have questions: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html ]

All the best to you and stay safe!

The Team,

Colin, Tyler, Humberto, and Sharon