COVID 19 UPDATE on CERB and Temporary Wage Subsidy

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Getting ready to access the CERB

You can apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit online on and after April 6, 2020. You can get a head start by setting up your CRA My Account as soon as possible.  When you set up your account and if you sign up for direct deposit you will receive your benefit more quickly.

Here is the link for you to apply for CRA My Account.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals.html

After you have set up your account, you will return to the site based on the schedule below. To help with the large amount of traffic CRA is asking you to apply in the following order

• Birthday:
• Jan – March    Apply April 6
• April – June   Apply on April 7
• July – Sept      Apply on April 8
• Oct – Dec      Apply on April 9

 Temporary wage subsidy

The wage subsidy will be available to any employer if their revenue has decreased by 30 percent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, that business will be eligible for the wage subsidy. The federal government has said that it will cover 75 percent of the first $58,700 of income earned, which works out to $847 per week. This subsidy will be retroactive to March 15, 2020. The Prime Minister also advised that the wage subsidy will apply to all non-profit organizations, charities, and companies of all sizes. We anticipate that partnerships and sole proprietors will also be eligible based on Bill C-13 even though the Prime Minister did not mention these employers specifically. More substantive details are expected to be announced at a later date.