Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA

Canada Revenue Agency/ National Headquarters

The CERB supports Canadians by providing financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19.

It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week) for up to 16 weeks.


After you apply, you should get your payment in 3 business days if you signed up for direct deposit. If you haven’t, you should get it in about 10 business days.

Who can apply

• To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
• You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period
• You did not quit your job voluntarily
• You reside in Canada
• You are 15 years old or more when you apply
• You earned a minimum of $5,000 (before taxes) income in the last 12 months or in 2019 from one or more of the following sources:

i) employment income
ii) self-employment income iii) provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

AND

• You stopped or will stop working due to COVID-19, and:
• You are applying for the first time

                For at least 14 days in a row during the 4-week payment                   period, you do not expect to receive more than $1,000                   (before taxes) from employment and self-employment income.

• You are re-applying for another period

                   You do not expect your situation to change during this                      4-week period and you do not expect to receive more                        than $1,000 (before taxes) from employment and self-                      employment income.

OR

                 You received regular EI benefits for at least 1 week                           since December 29, 2019.

                  You are no longer eligible for EI benefits.

You cannot apply for the CERB with CRA if you already applied through Service Canada

If you have already applied for Employment Insurance (EI) or for the CERB through Service Canada, you cannot apply for the CERB with the CRA.

If you are applying for the CERB for the first time, and not sure where to apply, answer the questions under Get Started, on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit page. We will direct you to the service option that best fits your situation.

Eligibility periods

Eligibility periods are fixed in 4-week periods.

If your situation continues, you can re-apply for CERB for multiple 4-week periods, to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods).

If you start working again after you get a CERB payment, and then stop working, you need to re-apply for the CERB. When you re-apply, you must confirm that for at least 14 days in a row, during the period you are applying for, you won't receive:

• employment income
• self-employment income
• provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

Let's understand 4 week eligibility period:

4 week eligibility period (Coronavirus impact relief fund) 

How to apply

There are two ways to apply:

1. Online with CRA My Account
2. Over the phone with an automated phone service

Get ready

To ensure your application will be as easy and quick as possible, here is how to get started:

1. If you are applying online, you will need a CRA My Account.
2. Your payment will be delivered by direct deposit or by cheque
3. Determine the best day of the week to apply

Whether you apply online or by phone, we want to provide the best service possible to everyone. To help manage this, we have set up specific days for you to apply. Please use the following guidelines:

Best day to apply for CERB 

Now Apply!!.

Apply Online

By phone:

Call the automated toll-free helpline

Before you call to verify your identity, you'll need following information:

1. your social insurance number (SIN)
2. postal code

Toll free phone number: 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Both of these services are available 21 hours a day, 7 days a week. Both services are closed from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (Eastern time) for maintenance.

After you apply

If you are eligible for the CERB, you can expect $2,000 ($500 per week) for a 4-week period.

The CERB is paid by direct deposit or by cheque if your direct deposit information is not on file.

After you apply, you should get your payment in 3 business days if you signed up for direct deposit. If you haven't, you should get it in about 10 business days. If your situation continues, you can re-apply for a payment for multiple 4-week periods, to a maximum of 16 weeks (4 periods).

These benefits are taxable

You will need to report any payments received on next year's tax filing. An information slip will be made available for the 2020 tax year in My Account under Tax Information Slips (T4 and more).

Return or repay CERB

You may want to return or repay the CERB if you:

• return to work earlier than expected
• applied for CERB but later realize you’re not eligible

Questions about CERB

Unsure if you should apply for CERB with Service Canada or CRA?

Questions about applying for CERB with CRA?

To find answers to common questions through our automated help line or to speak with an agent about CERB: 1-833-966-2099

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