Looking for COVID-19 benefits from the Canada Government? For individuals, The Canadian Government provides some interesting benefits to help you facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.
Seven different services have been helping from the start:
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
- Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
If you are sick for up to 1 week or must self-isolate due to Covid-19 this article regarding The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will benefit you during this hard time.
What is The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) about?
The government gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. The CRSB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
If you are eligible, you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for a 1-week period.
If your situation continues past 1 week, you will need to apply again. Keep reading if you are interested in applying for it or have some family member who might be needed.
The following content is according to the Government of Canada website that provides the right information about each benefit. You will see if you are eligible, how much can you get, weeks to apply, and how to apply.
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply for the CRSB, you must meet all the eligibility criteria and be employed or self-employed on the day before your first application period.
- You are unable to work at least 50% of your scheduled work week because you’re self-isolating for one of the following reasons:
You are sick with COVID-19 or may have COVID-19
You are advised to self-isolate due to COVID-19
You have an underlying health condition that puts you at greater risk of getting COVID-19. - You did not apply for or receive any of the following for the same period:
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
short-term disability benefits
workers’ compensation benefits
Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits - You reside in Canada
- You were present in Canada
- You are at least 15 years old
- You have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- You earned at least $5,000 in 2019, 2020, or in the 12 months before the date you apply from any of the following sources:
employment income (total or gross pay)
net self-employment income (after deducting expenses)
maternity and parental benefits from EI or similar QPIP benefits - You are not receiving paid leave from your employer for the same period
For more information click here and for verifying your eligibility click here
How much can you get?
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) provides a payment of $500 (before taxes withheld) for each 1-week period you apply for. After the CRA withholds 10% tax at source, the actual payment you get is $450 per 1-week period.
Your payment amount will be the same for each period you’ve applied for, even if you worked for part of the week. To be eligible, you must have missed more than 50% of your workweek.
If you’re eligible, you may apply up to a maximum of 2 weeks between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021.
Weeks you can apply
The CRSB does not renew automatically. If your situation continues, you must apply for your second eligibility period separately. You may apply for any eligible 1-week period for up to 60 days after that period has ended.
You can apply for a maximum of 2 weeks between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021. The 2 weeks do not have to be taken consecutively.
If you become sick or have to self-isolate due to COVID-19 part way through a period, you can only apply for the period if you missed more than 50% of that workweek. If you miss less than that, you need to wait to apply for the next eligibility period.
The period start and end dates
Each 1-week period starts on a Sunday and ends on the following Saturday. You may start applying on the first Monday after the 1-week period you’re applying for has ended.
Next periods
- October 18 to October 24, 2020 (Period 4)
- To see all periods or specific one click here
Recent periods - October 11 to October 17, 2020 (Period 3)
- October 4 to October 10, 2020 (Period 2)
- September 27 to October 3, 2020 (Period 1)
Important! Your eligibility ends after 2 periods.
The benefit is available between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021. You can no longer receive CRSB payments after you have reached the maximum of 2 periods.
Your eligibility cannot be extended, even if you:
● are sick or self-isolating due to COVID-19 for more than 2 periods
● become sick or are self-isolating due to COVID-19 again between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021
How to apply?
Before you apply
The easiest way to apply will be online through CRA My Account. You can get ready by answering these questions
Apply online:
Apply online following the website requirements filling out here
Apply by phone:
Before you call:
To verify your identity, you’ll need your:
● Social Insurance Number (SIN)
● postal code
● date of birth
Have a pen and paper ready to note down information during the call
Telephone number:
1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041
Availability:
Monday to Sunday from 6 am to 3 am (Eastern time)
Source of Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) content and images: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html
