HBPA Ontario Reminds of Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The HBPA Ontario has issued a document with options for financial relief for horsepeople have lost their job due to COVID-19 and are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits.

Included in this is information on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit:

COVID 19 – GOVERNMENT HELP AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT

To help manage this, the Canada Revenue Agency has set up specific days for you to apply. Please use the following guidelines for the DAY TO APPLY FOR THE CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFIT:

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BIRTH MONTH DAY TO APPLY FOR CERB

January, February or March – Monday April 6th
April, May or June – Tuesday April 7th
July, August or September – Wednesday April 8th
October, November or December – Thursday April 9th

What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?

If you stopped working because of COVID-19, the CERB may provide you with temporary income
support. CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

How to Apply
The federal government will start accepting applications on Monday April 6th. Prior to April 6,
individuals who are without work and are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) can continue to apply
for EI.

IMPORTANT! If you are not eligible for EI, find out how you can get ready to apply for the CERB through
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Whether you apply online here or by phone (1-800-959-2019), the CRA wants to provide the best service possible to everyone.

Eligibility for CERB

The benefit will be available to workers:

• Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
• Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job;
• Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their
application; and
• Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14
consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to
have no employment income.

The Benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID19.

If you are looking for a job but haven’t stopped working because of COVID-19, you are not eligible for the Benefit.

How do I know whether to apply for EI or CERB?

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, you should apply for the CERB, whether or
not are eligible for EI. The Benefit is available for the period from March 15, 2020 to October
3, 2020.

Starting April 6, 2020, there will be a single portal to assist you with the application process.
Until then, Canadians who are eligible for EI and who have lost their job can continue to apply
for EI.

If you applied for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, your claim will be
automatically processed through the CERB.

In addition, for other EI benefits, including maternity, parental, caregiving, fishing and
worksharing, you should also continue to apply.

When and How will I receive my CERB payment? Is there a waiting period?

Benefits will start within 10 days of submitting an application. There is no waiting period.
Payments will be made through direct deposit or by cheque. You will be paid more quickly if
you choose direct deposit. [Payments will be retroactive to your eligibility date.]

If I am already receiving EI, should I reapply for the CERB?

No. If you are already receiving EI regular benefits, you will continue to receive these benefits
until the end of your benefit period. If you were eligible to EI benefits that started before
March 15, 2020, and these benefits end before October 3, 2020, you may then apply for the
CERB if you meet the eligibility requirements, including that you have stopped work because
of reasons related to COVID-19. You CANNOT be paid EI benefits and the CERB for the same
period.

Can you receive CERB if you are not a Citizen or Permanent Resident?

To be eligible for the CERB you must reside in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance
Number. Workers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents – including
temporary foreign workers and international students – may be eligible to receive the Benefit
if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

More options including mortgage support from Canadian banks and Canada Child Benefit can be found here.