What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit?

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

The benefit will be available to workers:

• Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
• Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;
• Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
• Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.

This document has been prepared with the information in public circulation as of March 26, 2020. This is not an official communication from the government and information presented here is not to be used as proof of eligibility.

YES has translated and edited the original text for clarity.

This information is provided solely as a resource. As this is an evolving document, the user of this information is responsible for determining and verifying the accuracy of the data presented here and how it is used.