Who doesn’t qualify in the new proposed Canada Emergency Response Benefit?

To support more workers and businesses, the government introduces the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

CERB is a simpler version of the combined Emergency Benefits package that were separately introduced last week. CERB is a taxable benefit that would provide $2,000 per month for four months to those who have lost their income due to COVID-19. This financial assistance is estimated to be received within 10 days after applying. This could be accessed in early April.

Who doesn’t qualify for this benefit? Nearly a million Canadians and workers applied for EI last week which only tells that millions of jobs are going to be affected by this pandemic. According to the Department of Finance Canada via news release, those who are now receiving EI regular and sickness benefits are not qualified to apply for CERB. However, if their EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, and they are still unable to return to work because of COVID-19, then they could apply for the CERB.