If you are eligible the fund pay you $2,000 ($500 per week) for a 4-week period to a maximum of 16 weeks.

As well as coping with a national health emergency, millions of people unexpectedly have lost their jobs.

If you reside in Canada, are 15 years or older, and lost your job because of COVID-19, you can apply for the federal government’s new job-loss compensation fund Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is intended to get cash as quickly as possible to the people who were forced out of work since March 15 because of COVID-19.

If you are eligible the fund pay you $2,000 ($500 per week) for a 4-week period to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods).

Money is sent by direct deposit or by cheque if your direct deposit information is not on file.

After you apply, you should get your payment in 3 business days if you signed up for direct deposit. If you haven’t, you should get it in about 10 business days. 

If you had submitted an Employment Insurance (EI) claim, it will now be processed by the CERB at the new CERB rate. The compensation fund also covers if you were self-employed whether or not you have made EI contributions.

There are two ways for you to apply for the benefit, Online with s CRA My Account or Over the phone with an automated phone service.

If you do not have a CRA My Account, register, you can register here.

If you prefer to apply using the telephone, you will need your social insurance number (SIN) and postal code: 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Who can apply

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

• You reside in Canada
• You are 15 years old or more when you apply

For your first CERB application:

• You have stopped or will stop working due to reasons related to COVID-19
• For at least 14 days in a row for the period you are applying for, you will not receive:
  • employment income
  • self-employment income
  • provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

For your subsequent CERB applications:

• You continue to not work due to reasons related to COVID-19
• For the 4 week period you are applying for, you will not receive:
  • employment income;
  • self-employment income; or
  • provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.
• You have not quit your job voluntarily
• You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period
• You earned a minimum of $5,000 income in the last 12 months or in 2019 from one or more of the following sources:
  • employment income
  • self-employment income
  • provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

Eligibility periods

Eligibility periods are fixed in 4-week periods. If your situation continues, you can re-apply for CERB for multiple 4-week periods, to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods).

Determine the best day of the week to apply

Whether you apply online or by phone, CERB have set up specific days for you to apply. It is recommended to use the following guidelines:

For the latest updates and information or to apply visit: Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA