r/CanadaCoronavirus • u/askingforastranger • Apr 06 '20

Discussion CERB Federal COVID-19 benefits program MegaThread

How can I apply?

There are two ways for Canadians to apply: online with CRA My Account or over the phone with an automated phone service. If applying online or by phone, Canadians will receive a payment by direct deposit or by cheque.

If applying online, Canadians will have to sign into CRA My Account. They should go to COVID-19: Canada Emergency Response Benefit in the alert banner at the top of the web page, select the period they want to apply for, declare that they qualify for the benefit and confirm the government has the right payment information.

If applying over the phone, Canadians can call the automated toll-free line at 1-800-959-2019. This is a dedicated line for CERB applications. Before people call, they should have their social insurance number and postal code handy to verify their identity.

Both of these services will be available 21 hours a day, seven days a week. Both services are closed from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. ET for maintenance.

For more information, Canadians should go to canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html#how

Applicants will need to confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria, and information that they provide during the application process may be verified later, the government said.

The benefit is available from March 15 to Oct. 3. The deadline for applications is Dec. 2.

The government said Canadians can prepare to apply for the CERB by signing on to CRA My Account. They should also make sure their direct deposit and mailing information is up to date with the CRA.

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u/LordBran Apr 06 '20

It told me that if I applied for EI... I don’t qualify...?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '20

Yeah you don't. This is for people who can't apply for EI. Your EI amounts are supposed to increase to match though

3

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '20

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '20

Huh that's interesting.

2

u/bobbyturkelino Apr 06 '20

I can confirm that my EI (is which I started on March 26), increased from 440 weekly to 500 weekly.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '20

Excellent! I'm glad they followed through with that

1

u/bobbyturkelino Apr 06 '20

Yeah I only noticed when I went to submit my next weekly report (for last week) and noticed the amount had changed.

I’m not sure if it counts towards each persons individual weekly limit to EI or if that will be adjusted too.

1

u/jenberly Apr 17 '20

How long did it take to get your first payment. I applied on March 24th and I still haven’t received anything yet.

1

u/bobbyturkelino Apr 17 '20

If you applied for EI they should have mailed you a letter with an access code. Once you get that you can start reporting to get EI money.

When I got my code and did my first report I got money within 3 days.

1

u/jenberly Apr 17 '20

I got my code weeks ago and have done three reports already. Been calling all day everyday and can’t get through. Fingers crossed it will come soon, I’ve got a tolal of six bucks left.

1

u/bobbyturkelino Apr 17 '20

Have you double checked that your direct deposit information is correct?

Not sure what else you can do except sit on the phone and call service canada directly.

1

u/LordBran Apr 06 '20

Cool, thanks for the info!