Feds announce new support for those struggling financially due to pandemic

 

With many regions across Canada in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19, and a second round of lockdowns being implemented for certain regions, the Government of Canada is implementing additional support measures to help those struggling due to the pandemic.

With the end of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit the government has implemented the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).

The CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks, to workers who have stopped working or had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50 per cent due to COVID-19 and who are not eligible for EI--those who are eligible can apply online or by phone.

To ensure that the recovery benefits provide more targeted support for those people who continue to need it, the application process for the CRB includes new elements, such as:

• shorter eligibility periods of two weeks;
• retroactive periods, meaning that people will be required to apply after the two-week period has ended;
• a 10 per cent tax withholding at source; meaning that people will receive payments of $900 for each two-week eligibility period;
• a three-to-five-day window to receive payments for applications made by direct deposit, and a 10-12 day window for cheque by mail.

“Throughout the pandemic, our government has provided people with the support they need to continue to make ends meet while staying safe. While many Canadians have been able to go back to work safely, we know that not all regions have been able to re-open at the same rate and that this continues to have a real impact on workers and their families," Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, said in a news release.

These new recovery benefits will provide stability and certainty while also helping to fill gaps in the way Canadian workers qualify for income support. Our Government will continue to support Canadians through this next phase of the recovery. We will get through these challenging times together," she continued.