Who is eligible

The Employment Insurance (EI) has been temporarily adjusted to allow more Canadians access to EI. 

Eligibility includes the follow criteria:

• you were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
  received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
• you stopped working through no fault of your own
• you have not quit your job voluntarily
• you are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
• you are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)

Eligible applicants will receive taxable payments of $500 per week (or $300 per week for extended parental benefits) and must re-apply every 2 weeks. 

How to apply (if applicable)

Visit the Government of Canada page for more details and how to apply.

Who is Eligible

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) was created for Canadians who do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) and have had an income reduction of 50% or more due to COVID-19. 

The benefit offers $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) per 2-week period and applicants must apply every 2 weeks. 

How to apply (if applicable)

There are two ways to apply:

1. Online or
2. Over the phone via an automated service at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Who is Eligible

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) offers $500 per week ($450 after taxes are withheld), for a maximum of two weeks, for workers who meet the following criteria:

• Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
• Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
• Have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.

Eligible Canadians may apply up to a total of 2 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.

How to apply (if applicable)

There are two ways to apply:

1. Online or
2. Over the phone via an automated service at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Who is Eligible

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) provides $500 per week ($450 after taxes are withheld) for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:

• Unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
• Because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.

Applicants must apply every week (from September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021) if their situation continues. 

How to apply (if applicable)

There are two ways to apply:

1. Online or
2. Over the phone via an automated service at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Who is Eligible

The federal government announced plans to work with provinces and territories through a new transfer to cost-share a temporary top up to the salaries of low-income workers (those who earn less than $2,500 per month on a full time basis) that have deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19. This intent is to provide the needed boost to those on the front-line in hospitals, those caring for seniors in long-term care facilities, those working hard to make sure there is food on shelves and tables, and others.

Further details to be announced soon.

Who is eligible

Changes have been made to the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) to allow more students to qualify for support and be eligible for greater amounts.

The changes include:

• Doubling the Canada Student Grants for all eligible full-time students to up to $6,000 and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents would also be doubled.
• Broadening eligibility for student financial assistance by removing the expected student’s and spouse’s contributions in 2020-21.
• Raising the maximum weekly amount that can be provided to a student in 2020-21 from $210 to $350.

How to apply (if applicable)

Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid.html for more information about Student Aid programs.

Who is eligible

The federal government is reducing the required minimum withdrawals from Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) by 25% for 2020.

Who is eligible

The federal government is providing a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This measure would give a total of $500 to individuals who are eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS.

How to apply (if applicable)

Eligible seniors did not need to apply, they should have received payment during the week of July 6.

Who is eligible

The federal government is providing a one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment of $600 to help Canadians with disabilities who are recipients of eligible programs or benefits. Seniors who are eligible for the one-time payment for persons with disabilities would receive a total of $600 in special payments.

How to apply (if applicable)

If you are eligible but never applied for the Disability Tax Credit, or your certificate expired in 2019, you must do so by September 25, 2020. Payments are expected to be issued beginning this fall.

Who is eligible

The federal government provided a one-time special payment through the Goods and Services Tax credit for eligible families. Recipients can expect to receive approximately $400 for single individuals and $600 for couples. On April 9, 2020, the one-time supplementary payment was automatically issued to those arleady receiving the GST/HST credit.

How to apply (if applicable)

On April 9, 2020, the one-time supplementary GST/HST credit payment was issued automatically to eligible recipients.

Who is eligible

An extra $300 per child was delivered through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This benefit was delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment on May 20.

How to apply (if applicable)

You do not need to re-apply if you already receive the Canada Child Benefit.