Prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced an emergency benefit that will provide $2,000 per month for four months to those who lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
During a now-daily press conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa this morning, Trudeau announced that the House of Commons passed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), an aid package for those affected by COVID-19. This now collapses the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit into one.
Those eligible for CERB include those who lost their jobs, those who are sick, quarantined or looking after someone who has COVID-19, parents who have to stay home with children and contract workers or those self-employed. The money will be paid every four weeks and is available from March 15th until October 3rd.
Those who have applied and are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) can find out more how they will be affected here.
We’re doing everything we can to support you right now. Because at a time like this, you should be focused on what matters most – your health and the health of those you love. That’s exactly why we’re announcing the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit today. ⤵️
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 25, 2020
If you’ve lost your income as a result of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit will give you $2,000 a month for up to 4 months. If you’ve lost your job – whether you worked full time, on contract, or were self-employed – you qualify for the benefit.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 25, 2020
If you lost income because you’re sick or quarantined, if you’re looking after someone who’s sick, or if you’re home taking care of the kids – you qualify. And if you’re still employed but not receiving income because of COVID-19 – you qualify too. We won’t leave anyone behind.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 25, 2020
The application portal for CERB is set to open in early April, and those who apply can expect money to arrive within 10 days.