Canada Is Answering All Of The Top FAQs When It Comes To COVID-19 Benefits
If you’ve got questions about Canada’s COVID-19 benefits, the federal government has apparently got answers!
In a series of new tweets, Employment and Social Development Canada has responded to frequently asked questions about benefits like the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB.)
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Whether you’ve been claiming COVID-19 benefits already, are unsure about your eligibility or simply have questions that need answering, here’s what you need to know:
Can I get the CRB if I quit my job?
Answer: No, if you voluntarily quit your job, you will not be eligible to receive the CRB (unless it was reasonable… https://t.co/B47MDxm7Vn— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1607545193.0
While the CRB is designed for those who are out of work right now due to COVID-19, the federal government has confirmed that it's not open to people who choose to stop working.
This includes Canadians who may have quit their job during the pandemic.
Can I get the CRB if I’m not a citizen or permanent resident?
Answer: You can receive the #CanadaRecovery Benefit if you are residing and present in Canada during the period for… https://t.co/6yByhmIBtN— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1607698002.0
The CRB has lengthy eligibility criteria, which include things like having a Social Insurance Number (SIN), being at least 15 years old and residing in Canada at the time of application.
However, citizenship is not a requirement of the application process, which means you can still claim the CRB if you meet the rest of the criteria.*
Can I apply for more than one recovery benefit at the same time?
Answer: No, you can only receive one recovery benefit at a time. You cannot receive the recovery benefits if you ar… https://t.co/RRnqwWSr5S— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1607978377.0
Canada’s recovery benefits can only be claimed on a one-at-a-time basis, which means you need to choose the one that fits your situation best before applying.
This includes Employment Insurance (EI), provincial maternity benefits and parental benefits, too.
Can I claim CRCB if schools are closed for the holidays?
Answer: No, holiday closures do not result in eligibility for the #Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit. To be eligib… https://t.co/QUW1CzBh2z— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1608063040.0
While this benefit has been designed to support parents who are staying at home with their kids during the pandemic, you can’t claim money for periods schools are closed due to vacations and holidays.
However, if these places are shut due to COVID-19 concerns, you may be eligible for support.
How long can I claim the CRB for?
Answer: The #CanadaRecovery Benefit is available in two-week periods for up to 26 weeks 🗓️ between September 27, 20… https://t.co/6dVwMY8AwE— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1608576943.0
Every CRB eligibility period is two weeks long and it offers up to $1,000 for that period.
It doesn’t renew automatically, so claimants must re-apply for each period separately.
This can be done for a maximum of 13 periods (or 26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. They do not have to be taken consecutively.
Can I get the CRB if I don’t feel comfortable going to work right now?
Answer: You can’t receive the CRB if you voluntarily quit your job or stopped work after you first applied for the… https://t.co/78GiDYocsd— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1609276506.0
Unfortunately, this counts as voluntarily not working and therefore the CRB cannot be claimed under these circumstances.
Instead, the federal government urges Canadians who are concerned about their work conditions to speak to their employer about the situation.
Can I get the CRSB if I’m self-isolating but still working from home?
Answer: No. To be eligible for the #CanadaRecovery Sickness Benefit, you must be unable to work for at least 50% of… https://t.co/3EYdM0QuVB— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1610461757.0
To be eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, a claimant must be out of work for at least 50% of their usual week.
If you’re still working half (or more) of your schedule from home, this means you don’t meet the eligibility requirements.
However, if you’re too sick to work from home you may still be able to apply.
Can I get COVID-19 benefits if I went abroad recently?
No. The #CanadaRecoveryBenefits are not intended for those who need to quarantine after returning from travel outsi… https://t.co/YHoAZAU9D4— Employment and Social Development Canada (@Employment and Social Development Canada) 1610393100.0
After a loophole was found in the CRSB, which allowed non-essential travellers to claim $1,000 during their quarantine, the rules are set to be updated.
Now, federal officials have confirmed that the Canada Recovery Benefits will not support people who need to quarantine after taking a discretionary trip abroad.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated.
