NOTICE: Canada Emergency Response Benefit
As you know, the Government of Canada has rolled out the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and those that have already applied for it may now have received your first payment.
Given the Government’s commitment to ensuring that individuals applying for this benefit received the money quickly, the benefit is currently being paid to all that apply.
This means that:
If you were already receiving EI and applied for the CERB, you may now be in receipt of payments from both. You are NOT entitled to both EI and CERB. If you are receiving EI, you should NOT apply for CERB. If you have not yet applied for EI, apply for CERB and when that benefit expires (in 4 months), apply for EI.
If you do not qualify for CERB (i.e., voluntarily quit your job, did not make $5000 in 2019, and/or are not without income for 14 consecutive days in the previous 4 weeks), you may still have received a payment.
If you applied through Service Canada and CRA, you may have received two payments.
The Government has indicated that anyone who has received the CERB in instances where they should not have will be required to repay the amount paid out. It is unclear exactly when this repayment will be required. It could be in a few months or during tax season next year, but be aware that the Government will want its money back at some point.
We would also like to remind you that the CERB is a taxable benefit, meaning that you will have to pay taxes on all amounts received.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your business representative.
The Union maintains its commitment to keep you up-to-date on any developments and will update this information when we have more details.