Don't forget to apply for this $ 2,000/month starting tomorrow.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html

This calculator tells you how much you can get.

https://www.preetbanerjee.com/covid19-calculator

Make full use of it. Spread the word in the DESI community and ask them to take FULL advantage of it.

Canada has always USED desi immigrants. Now it's time to use them back.

Instead of driving cabs, working in McDonald's, Tim Hortons, Wal Mart, Security guards etc, which almost ALL qualified desi immigrants to Canada do, it's better to collect this money.

Apply for it and take it.

All unemployed DESI apply for it. No questions asked.

If you are doing a low level job like most Canadian immigrants, don't put your life in danger due to covid.

Quit your job saying you are scared to go to work due to covid or say you are sneezing/coughing and are sick. Don show up for your low level job like grocery store clerk etc. They will fire you for not showing up for your MINIMUM wage job.

Then say you're unemployed due to Covid and apply for this easy $ 2,000/month money.

CANADA CHILD BENEFIT Increase, due to Corona Virus environment status. Those who are in receipt of the Child Care Benefits will GET IT AUTOMATICALLY.

Increasing the Canada Child Benefit
We are providing an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This will mean approximately $550 more for the average family.

This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May.

Those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit do not need to re-apply.

FH.

CERB. Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Please Read On.

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Government of Canada introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses that are put into a position of a loss of a job due to COVID 19.

From: Department of Finance Canada.: March 25, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada continues to take action to help Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more about the latest measures at Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.

The Government of Canada is taking strong, immediate and effective action to protect Canadians and the economy from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. No Canadian should have to choose between protecting their health, putting food on the table, paying for their medication or caring for a family member.

To support workers and help businesses keep their employees, the government has proposed legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB would be a simpler and more accessible combination of the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.

The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Additionally, workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, would also qualify for the CERB. This would help businesses keep their employees as they navigate these difficult times, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.

The EI system was not designed to process the unprecedented high volume of applications received in the past week. Given this situation, all Canadians who have ceased working due to COVID-19, whether they are EI-eligible or not, would be able to receive the CERB to ensure they have timely access to the income support they need.

Canadians who are already receiving EI regular and sickness benefits as of today would continue to receive their benefits and should not apply to the CERB. If their EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, they could apply for the CERB once their EI benefits cease, if they are unable to return to work due to COVID-19. Canadians who have already applied for EI and whose application has not yet been processed would not need to reapply. Canadians who are eligible for EI regular and sickness benefits would still be able to access their normal EI benefits, if still unemployed, after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

The government is working to get money into the pockets of Canadians as quickly as possible. The portal for accessing the CERB would be available in early April. EI eligible Canadians who have lost their job can continue to apply for EI here, as can Canadians applying for other EI benefits.

Canadians would begin to receive their CERB payments within 10 days of application. The CERB would be paid every four weeks and be available from March 15, 2020 until October 3, 2020.

This benefit would be one part of the government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, to support Canadian workers and businesses and help stabilize the economy by helping Canadians pay for essentials like housing and groceries, and helping businesses pay their employees and bills during this unprecedented time of global uncertainty.

Quotes
“We know that people are worried about their health, their jobs and their financial situations. Our government is doing whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of Canadians, and to support workers, families and businesses. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit would make sure that money gets in the hands of workers as quickly as possible to support them in their time of need, and would help businesses keep their employees during this difficult period. Canadians can rest assured that the government stands ready to take any and all necessary actions as we continue to confront these challenging times together.”

- Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

“Through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Government of Canada would be helping support those Canadians who are unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is during these difficult times that Canadians should not have to choose between protecting their health and continuing to support their families. We recognize this, and are there for them.”

- Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

“The government understands that the outbreak of COVID-19 is having a significant impact on all Canadians. Through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, we would provide much-needed financial support to those who have lost their income because of COVID-19. The Canada Revenue Agency is playing an important role by getting benefit payments to Canadians quickly and efficiently.”

- Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue.
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This plan is implemented and is getting finalized. More details will follow within the next THREE days and it will explain all of the details at that time.

FH.

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Trudeau promises more Canadians will be covered by COVID-19 emergency benefit

Government has taken criticism for leaving out students, people working reduced hours.Last Updated: an hour ago

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says more aid is on the way for people not eligible for the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB), while Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer wants to recall a small number of MPs to the House of Commons to hold the government to account. (Sean Kilpatrick/Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Responding to critics who say many Canadians are falling through cracks in the emergency COVID-19 benefit plan, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today said more help is on the way for students, those working reduced hours due to the pandemic and struggling businesses.

During his daily media briefing, Trudeau said 240,000 people already have applied successfully for the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB) — which opened to applications at 6 a.m. ET today — reportedly without a hitch. Please see when you can apply and the details are given below.

But he acknowledged that some people who should qualify for the aid are not getting it.

Trudeau said there will be adjustments to the program in the coming days to include people such as gig workers, contractors and volunteer firefighters who work 10 or fewer hours per week. He also said there would be support for those who continue to work but are making less than they would through CERB, such as home care workers or people caring for vulnerable seniors in long-term care facilities.

"You need support now, and work is underway to get it to you as soon as possible," he said.

"For people in all of these situations, we see you, we're going to be there for you and we're working as hard as we can to get you the support you need."

Trudeau says more Canadians will be covered by CERB. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is looking at ways to extend COVID-19 emergency benefits to students and those working reduced hours due to the pandemic.

Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough's office said Monday that everything seemed to be going smoothly in the first few hours the online portal was open for CERB applications, which are being managed by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Hundreds of thousands of applications are expected to flood the system in the coming week, and the government says the system is prepared to handle millions of claims.

THE LATESTCoronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Monday 6th Apr 2020. Federal COVID-19 benefits program portal opens today: Here's how to apply. The government is asking Canadians to apply for benefits on specific days, based on the month of their birth. Today is application day for people born January through March, Tuesday is for people born April through June, Wednesday is for those born in July through September and Thursday is for people born in October through December.

During a news conference in Regina Monday, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the government must find ways to break down barriers for certain people, including those who don't qualify because they work a small number of hours each week.

"We need an assistance program that will allow workers to meet market needs," he said.

Scheer on reconvening Parliament during Covid-19. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says the best place to hold the government to account during the COVID-19 crisis is in the House of Commons.
**
Current eligibility criteria require a recipient to have lost all income for at least 14 consecutive days in the last month. After the initial month, they must have no source of income.

That means someone who works even dramatically reduced hours each week does not qualify.

To be eligible, someone also must have been working before being compelled to stop because of COVID-19 restrictions, which means full-time students do not qualify. Trudeau said Sunday the government is looking at ways to address that, including direct income supports.

Wage subsidy program worries..: Scheer said the Conservatives also have been hearing complaints about the planned wage subsidy program, which will give employers up to 75 per cent of an employee's salary. It's expected to be up and running in three to six weeks, but Scheer said that is too long for businesses teetering on the edge to wait.

The government has said it will recall Parliament soon to pass legislation on the wage subsidy. Scheer said he has not yet heard when that would occur, but suggested the House of Commons should hold regular sittings with a reduced number of MPs in order to hold the government to account.

"We've already shown to Canadians that we can have a group of members of Parliament, a reduced roster, that can follow the directions of public health officials while at the same time fulfilling our responsibilities as parliamentarians," he said.

"We believe that the best place to have that accountability, to ensure that we're getting the best decisions for Canadians, is in the House of Commons. Other legislatures around the country are finding ways to maintain sittings to do exactly that."

A significantly scaled-down group of MPs and senators gathered in Ottawa last month to pass legislation on a COVID-19 aid package worth about $107 billion.

Trudeau suggested that MPs could do even more of their work virtually during the pandemic, so that parliamentarians from across the country "can make themselves heard."

"It can't be just about folks who have proximity to Parliament or the ability to get here," he said. "We need to look at ways that our democracy and institutions can stay strong and embody and fulfil the functions that Canadians need them to.

"That's why I'm very much looking forward to discussions with other parties and experts on how we can continue with our institutions even in this difficult time."

UPDATED. TSX and Dow close higher Monday on tentative signs of progress in COVID-19 battle
NDP MP Jenny Kwan released messages and video on social media calling the current eligibility rules for CERB "very problematic." She said the program design reflects a lack of understanding of Canada's current economy and workforce.

Kwan cited the case of one constituent in her riding, a physiotherapist, who does not qualify because he is still providing very limited service to patients rehabilitating after surgery.

"How does that make sense? It doesn't work for him, it doesn't work for his client and it doesn't work for our health care system," she said.

The NDP has called for a guaranteed income of $2,000 per Canadian adult, plus an extra $250 per child.

The government's wage subsidy proposal is also facing some criticism.

Business groups push for change. By covering up to $847 a week per employee, the goal of the proposed wage subsidy program is to keep people on the payroll to facilitate a quick rebound when the pandemic subsides.

But a survey carried out by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found that many members are skeptical it will help them retain staff.

Of the 8,892 members who responded to the online questionnaire, 29 per cent said it would help, 37 per cent said it wouldn't and 21 per cent said they aren't sure.

The CFIB is calling on the government to repeal a requirement that businesses show a 30 per cent decline in revenue compared to the same month last year, and to make sure the program covers new or rapidly growing firms.

Trudeau said today that Finance Minister Bill Morneau will have more updates on the program soon.

"Here's the bottom line. Whatever your situation is, we are working to get you the help you need," he said.

Applications are now open for the Canada emergency response benefit. (CBC).

xxxx

Please be guided by this.

FH.

CERB How to Apply..: Please read on...

Apply for Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA
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.

FH.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html

If this web page does not respond, I will update it to a FRESH One.

Apply by phone, if you don't have a CRA - My Account and don't want to wait for 10 days for the Access code to arrive in mail.


1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Very simple phone application. Just automated calling and press 1, press 2 etc.


Before you call:

To verify your identity, you'll need

Your social insurance number (SIN)
postal code

Telephone number:

Follow the instructions below before you call

1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041

Instructions:

The CRA will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque, based on the payment method we have on file for you.

Both online and telephone services are available 21 hours a day, 7 days a week. Both services are closed from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (Eastern time) for maintenance.