Application for CERB opens today! Please apply based on your month of birth!

When can I apply?

CRA is asking that only people born in certain months apply on certain days.

If you were born in the month of Apply for CERB on Your best day to apply

January, February or March Mondays April 6April,

May, or June Tuesdays April 7July

August, or September Wednesdays April 8

October, November, or December Thursdays April 9

Any month Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

As an alternative to My Account, individuals can call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.  They will need to provide their SIN, their postal code, the period that they are applying for, and attest that they qualify.

Eligibility Periods

Eligibility periods are fixed in 4-week periods.  Individuals may receive benefits for up to 4 of the 7 periods.

The 4-week periods are:

Certification

Applicants must certify:

  • I reside in Canada.

  • I am 15 years of age or older at the time of application.

  • For my first CERB application: I have stopped or will stop working due to reasons related to COVID-19 and, for at least 14 consecutive days of the four week period for which I am applying, I will not be receiving:

    • employment income;

    • self-employment income; or

    • provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.

  • For my subsequent CERB applications: I continue to not be working due to reasons related to COVID-19 and, for the four week period for which I am applying, I will not be receiving:

    • employment income;

    • self-employment income; or provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.

  • I have not quit my job voluntarily.

  • I have not applied for, nor am I receiving, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI) benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period.

  • I have earned a minimum of $5,000 income within the last 12 months or in 2019 from one or more of the following sources:

    • employment income;

    • self-employment income; or

    • provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.

 
Special note: Individuals in receipt of non-eligible dividends (generally, those paid out of corporate income taxed at the small business rate) are eligible for CERB.

An individual could count this income towards the $5,000 income requirement to be eligible for CERB.

For a CRA FAQ on CERB, click here.

For more details on the application process, click here.

Jane Zhao