The New Emergency Response Benefit Is Launching On April 6 But There Are Conditions
If you need help, money could soon be on the way. Canada's Emergency Response Benefit is finally launching on April 6 and you can apply for it online if you've lost your job because of COVID-19. However, there are some conditions.
During a press conference on April 1, the Prime Minister announced that the application portal for the new Emergency Response Benefit is officially launching on April 6.
This is for Canadians who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19 but if you're getting the wage subsidy, you can't receive money from this too.
"It's one or the other, you can't get both of these benefits," Trudeau said.
You can apply online at Canada.ca or over the phone by calling the Canada Revenue Agency if you can't do it on the website.
Money from the benefit will either be sent through the mail or through direct deposit, depending on what you choose when you apply.
Cheques will be mailed within 10 days and direct deposits should take three to five days.
After applying, you just have to confirm every month that you still don't have a job.
If you've already applied through EI, you don't need to do anything when the application portal launches.
"We're getting you the help you need when you need it," Trudeau said.
In a press conference with the federal ministers after Trudeau's address, they confirmed that applications for the benefit will be open on April 6 but they don't want everyone to apply at once.
Jean-Yves Duclos, the president of the treasury board, asked Canadians to apply based on their birthdays so as not to overwhelm the system.
"We anticipate a huge amount of requests," he said in French.
So, if you were born in January, February or March, then you should apply on April 6.
If you were born in April, May or June, apply on April 7. If you were born in July, August or September, apply on April 8. If you were born in October, November or December, apply on April 9.
Carla Qualtrough, the minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, said that EI applications will automatically be enrolled in the Emergency Response Benefit.
"Service Canada has developed and implemented a streamlined process that, starting today, will be able automatically to process approximately 400,000 applications per day," she said.
Since so many claims will now be processed faster, some Canadians who already applied through EI could start to get payments from the benefit in the coming days.*
With the benefit, Canadians who are out of work because of the disease can get $2,000 a month for four months.
During his press conference, Trudeau asked Canadians to step up and answer the call of duty to keep the country safe.
"Listening to public health rules is your duty, staying home is your way to serve," he said. "How well we do right now determines where our country will be in two weeks or two months."
*Editor's note: This story has been updated.