Today the Federal Government announced much anticipated relaxation to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit ("CERB"). This expansion of the CERB means the following groups of people are now eligible for the CERB:
- People who earn $1,000 or less;
- Workers who have run out of EI benefits; and
- Workers who were expecting a seasonal job but who will no longer be working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Trudeau stated that these changes are effective today. The Canada.ca portal to apply for the CERB has not been updated with these changes as of the time of writing. People who may now be eligible can click here to apply.
Furthermore, the Federal Government announced that they will be providing a boost to wages for essential workers, such as long term caregivers, who make less than $2,500 a month.
In today's announcement the Prime Minister also promised further measures will come to address the needs of businesses facing commercial rent and students.
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