To ensure that Canadians continue to receive the help they need, the Government of Canada has introduced three new benefits to be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency: the Canadian Economic Recovery Benefit (CERB), the Canadian Recovery Health Benefit (CRHB) and the Canadian Caregiver Economic Recovery Benefit (CCERB).
The PCRE application process was launched on October 12. The Agency began accepting PCMRE and PCREPA applications on October 5, 2020.
The ERCP provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who have stopped working or had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% as a result of COVID-19, and who are not eligible for EI.
The Agency’s application process for ERRP is simple and efficient, similar to the one millions of Canadians have used to apply for the Canada Emergency Benefit (CEP). Eligible individuals can apply for these benefits online through the Agency’s My Account portal, or by telephone through the toll-free automated telephone service at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.
To ensure that stimulus benefits provide more targeted support to those who still need it, the application process for the ERRP includes new elements, including:
- shorter two-week eligibility periods;
- retroactive periods – people will have to submit their applications after the end of the two-week period in question;
- 10% withholding tax – individuals will receive payments of $900 for each two-week eligibility period;
- 3 to 5 days for payments by direct deposit and 10 to 12 days for payments by cheque in the mail.
The government is committed to putting safeguards in place to protect Canadians from fraud and non-compliance. To this end, the Agency is implementing additional verification and security measures from the outset to help ensure that benefit payments are made only to those who are entitled to them.
To apply for these benefits, we encourage Canadians to register for My Agency Account, verify that their personal information with the Agency is up to date, and sign up for direct deposit. They are encouraged to file their 2019 tax return, if they haven’t already done so, as this will reduce the chances that the Agency will have to ask them to provide additional information before their application can be processed.
To find out more about these benefits, including eligibility requirements, how to apply and dates of eligibility periods, we invite Canadians to consult the Agency’s Web pages.
