Canada Is Creating 3 New COVID-19 Recovery Benefits For People Who Don't Qualify For EI

More help is on the way! Three new Canada COVID-19 benefits are being created for people who don't qualify for Employment Insurance, are sick or are caregivers. These are temporary ones to support workers who are struggling because of the pandemic.

It was announced on August 20 that three temporary recovery initiatives will be introduced to support the income of Canadian workers effective September 27.

They are the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB).

Editor's Choice: Joe Biden's Speech Was Weirdly Similar To Jack Layton's Dying Words To Canada

All three serve a different purpose and support different people.

The CRB is for workers who are self-employed or not eligible for EI but still need income support if they can't get back to work because of COVID-19.

It gives $400 per week for up to 26 weeks but you need to still be available and looking for work.

To get it, you must have stopped working because of the pandemic or had your income reduced.

So, you can still actually earn income while getting the CRB, you just have to meet the other requirements.

Also, you'll have to repay some of the money on your income tax return if your annual net income is over a certain amount.

Next, there is the CRSB which is for workers who are sick or have to self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19.

This fulfills the agreement between the federal government and the provinces and territories for 10 paid sick days.

The CRSB pays $500 a week for up to two weeks but it can't be claimed if you're already getting other paid sick leave.

Eligibility conditions are similar to the CERB.

Finally, there is the CRCB.

It's for workers who aren't able to work because they care for a child, dependent or family member because schools, daycares or other care facilities are closed due to COVID-19.

With it, you get $500 a week for up to 26 weeks per household and it can be shared but only one member of a household can get it at a time.

There are similar eligibility conditions to the CERB.

If you keep your kids home by choice when facilities are open, you can't get the CRCB. 

To get ready to apply for these new benefits, you can set up My Account with the Canada Revenue Agency and make sure your direct deposit and mailing information are up to date.

Applications open in October and you'll have to declare that you meet the eligibility criteria.

It will take three to five days for you to get your payment through direct deposit once you've submitted your application.

The CERB was extended for another four weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks.

After that, Canadians will transition to a modified EI program.