Hi Everyone,
Below is information about the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit from our CUPE representative.
In Solidarity,
Sandra
Hi everyone,
CUPE Research has drafted an overview on the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Please see below to pass along to members. This may be an ideal option for members who do not have many shifts and/or auxiliary members. The application portal will be ready on Monday April 6.
Note: It is important that Employers indicate ‘shortage of work’ on ROEs
Overview of the CERB:
This income support is designed for individuals who have lost their income because of COVID-19 and also for those can’t work due to illness, quarantine, need to take care of others that are ill, or child care responsibility. How the government describes this:
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit is available to those who stop working for reasons related to COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits. Examples of stopping to work could include but are not limited to:
- You have been let go from your job or your hours have been reduced to zero;
- You are in quarantine or sick due to COVID-19;
- You are away from work to take care of others because they are in quarantine, sick due to COVID-19; and/or
- You are away from work to take care of children or other dependents whose care facility is closed due to COVID-19.
The CERB will pay out $2,000 per month for up to four months, backdated to March 15. The benefit is available March 15 to October 3, 2020. The benefit will not be taxed at source but will have to be reported on your 2020 taxes. There is no waiting period, if you sign up for direct deposit you should receive payment in 3-5 days, and if you opt for a cheque you should receive payment in 10 days.
For the initial four-week period you will have to prove you had no employment income for at least 14 consecutive days, moving forward you will have to have zero employment income for the full four-weeks. You have to re-apply for every four-week period.
If employees are applying for the CERB due to illness, quarantine, need to take care of other who are sick, or child care responsibility (a circumstance where they may want to return to work before the pandemic ends, aka. don’t have child care and then later secure child care and want to return to work) they should first check their CA and determine what access they have to leaves, and/or pursue an unpaid leave but should retain their employment.
If employees are applying for this because they have lost work/have no work due to COVID-19 they do not need an ROE. So if they are still employed but not working they are eligible. Individuals are also eligible if they have been laid off. (*note: it is my understanding Legal will have some further recommendations around considerations for recall periods.)
If members have already applied for EI, if they became eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits on March 15th or onward, their claim will be automatically processed through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. (and if members are EI eligible after the 16-weeks, they can return to EI.)
Updated Q&A from CUPE on the CERB here, info on CERB application here, info on Emergency Wage Subsidy here.
Jeanne Marr
Canadian Union of Public Employees
National Servicing Representative/Library Coordinator
British Columbia Regional Office
6222 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5H 0G3
Cell: 250-572-2605
jmarr@cupe.ca
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