The Canada Emergency Response Benefit ("CERB") is a
federal benefit that has come into effect in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic restrictions. The
benefit provides $2,000 per month of taxable income to eligible
workers in Canada.
Over the last few weeks, the eligibility criteria to qualify for
CERB have been criticized for excluding many Canadians. To be
eligible under the initial criteria, workers had to have lost all
income for 14 consecutive days in the month, and all income in
subsequent months. As a result, many workers who are being
economically impacted by the pandemic were ineligible.
In response to this criticism, Prime Minister Trudeau announced
during his public address on April 15, 2020, that new criteria
would be enacted. Seasonal workers and those workers who have
recently run out of employment insurance, in addition to people who
have made less than $1,000 per month due to reduced work hours, now
qualify to receive CERB. The new criteria are intended to expand
the reach of the benefit.
The expansion was applauded by the opposition parties that were
initially critical of the benefit's limited reach.
I hope that this finds you all well and keeping safe!
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