The federal government is relaxing the rules around the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
Minister of Employment and Workforce Development Carla Qualtrough says they are expanding the eligibility criteria for this benefit so that it is more inclusive.
“To allow workers, including self-employed, to earn up to $1,000 per month, while still collecting the CERB. It will include workers who recently exhausted their EI benefits and are unable to find a job because of COVID-19.”
Qualtrough says the CERB will now be available for those who saw their hours reduced, or anyone who makes $1,000 a month or less.
She notes it also includes “seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI benefits and are unable to undertake their usual seasonal work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Qualtrough adds the government is also working with the province’s to provide a temporary top-up to salaries for essential workers making less than $2,500 a month.
Qualtrough notes these changes reflect the different realities that working Canadians are currently experiencing.
She stresses they know people want to remain in the workforce but have seen a dramatic loss in hours and income due to the coronavirus.
