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:
employment income
self-employment income
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
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
How to apply
There are two ways to apply:
Online at Apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA
Over the phone with an automated phone service: 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959- 2041
To verify your identity over the phone, you will need your social insurance number (SIN) and postal code.
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).
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
You have the option to return or repay your CERB payment now.
If you still have the original CERB cheque
You can return the cheque by mail to the address below.
If you don't have the cheque or were paid by direct deposit
You can mail your repayment to the CRA. Be sure to:
make payment out to "Receiver General for Canada"
indicate it is for "Repayment of CERB"
include your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or your Temporary Tax Number (TTN)
Mail your payment to
Revenue Processing – Repayment of CERB Sudbury Tax Centre
1050 Notre Dame Avenue Sudbury ON P3A 0C1
Questions about CERB
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