On Parliament Hill

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may be for you. Through the CERB, eligible individuals can receive $500 a week for up to 16 weeks to help you stay afloat during these difficult times.

The Benefit is available for workers who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits, those who had an income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application, and those who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period.

The Benefit is open to applications as of Monday, April 6. To help manage the delivery of support, please use the following guidelines: For those born in the months of January through March, please apply on Mondays. For those born in April through June, please apply on Tuesdays. For those born in July through September, please apply on Wednesdays. And for those born in October through December, please apply on Thursdays. Anyone can apply on Fridays through Sundays.

If you have already applied for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits since March 15, or if you are already receiving EI payments, you will be automatically enrolled in the CERB.

Those who wish to apply can visit canada.ca. If applying by phone, call toll-free at 1-800-959-2019.

In order to provide you with a one-stop shop for COVID-19 information, my office has put together a resource library which you can find at tedfalk.ca.

My office remains open (by appointment) to help residents. You can contact my office toll-free at 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889.