HAVE YOU LOST WORK OR INCOME BECAUSE OF COVID-19? YOU CAN GET INCOME SUPPORT!
You can get money from the Federal government’s emergency fund (CERB) if you have:
- A valid or expired Social Insurance Number (SIN)
OR
- An Individual Tax Number (ITN)
Even if your Social Insurance Number has expired and you do not have valid immigration status in Canada, you can still apply for CERB if you meet the rest of the criteria.
This is a taxable benefit. That means the government expects you to declare it on your tax return in 2021. It also means that CERB is not considered “social assistance” and will not impact your immigration applications, such as a Humanitarian and Compassionate, Sponsorship, or other Permanent Residency application. We do not know if your name or address will be shared with immigration (CBSA).
You do not need to have filed taxes in the past and you will not be asked to submit any documents at this time. However, you may be asked to provide proof that you were eligible for CERB at a later date or when you file your taxes in 2021.
If you qualify, you will receive $2,000 for four weeks. If you continue to qualify, you can re-apply three more times (for a maximum of 16 weeks). This benefit has been available since March 15th. If you met the criteria to receive CERB at any time since then, you can still apply now for these past weeks.
This information is accurate as of June 1. Things are changing constantly. Check back here regularly for updates. For media inquiries, please contact info@migrantrights.ca.
How to apply:
You can apply online or by phone.
ONLINE
(if you already have “MyAccount” or “MyServiceCanada”)
Go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
You will be asked if you were self-employed or an employee. If you click “employee” then you will be asked if you were full time or part time. These questions will not disqualify you, they simply direct you to either the EI or CRA pathway for applying. You will then be asked to sign into your MyAccount / MyService Canada.
Once you have signed in, you will see the list of requirements to qualify. Click “I confirm that I meet the requirements set out above…”. You will not need to provide any documents at this time. The minimum $5000 income in the past 12 months or in 2019 can be from within or outside Canada.
If you are having trouble applying online, you can try to apply by phone. If your Social Insurance Number has expired, you may be more successful by phone.
BY PHONE
If you have filed taxes in the past, call 1-800-959-2019
- You will be asked for your SIN, Temporary Tax Number or Individual Tax Number.
If you have never filed taxes, call 1-800-959-8281
- You will be asked for your SIN, Temporary Tax Number or Individual Tax Number.
Whether you apply online or by phone, you will not need to submit documents at this time to prove you meet the requirements. The phone service is only available in English or French. If you need help to apply in another language, contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions about accessing CERB:
- What are the criteria to qualify for CERB?
- You earned a minimum of $5,000 (before taxes) in the last 12 months or in 2019, inside or outside Canada. This can be employment or self-employment income.
- You have lost work or income due to COVID-19, and you have earned less than $1,000 in employment or self-employment income for at least 14 days in a row.
- If I receive CERB, will I be denied permanent resident status or will it impact my Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) application later?
- CERB is taxable income, which means it is not considered social assistance. You can receive CERB and it will not reduce your chances of getting permanent resident status in the future or impact your H&C application.
- Your immigration applications may be impacted if you misrepresent the facts to other branches of government, including when applying for CERB.
- What if I get CERB and the government later decides I was not eligible – will it impact my immigration status?
- When you claim CERB on your taxes in 2021, if the government decides you were not eligible to receive CERB, you will be asked to repay the money. It is not a crime. The government has said there are no other consequences. It should not impact your immigration status or future applications.
- How do I receive the money?
- If you have “MyAccount” set up with CRA, you can choose to receive money by direct deposit. Otherwise, you can receive the money by cheque mailed to the address you provide.
- What if I don’t have a bank account?
- If you do not have a bank account, you can have a cheque mailed to you. You can then try to sign the cheque over to someone else (“endorse”) to cash at a bank. Or you can cash your cheque at a payday loan or cash store. These businesses might keep a large part of your money as a fee for this service. Not everyone may be able to cash a cheque, consider your options before you apply.
- Will my address be shared with immigration enforcement?
- We do not know if the address you provided will be shared with immigration enforcement. You have to make the best decision for you about your own safety. It is important to use an address where you can receive the cheque.
- Will my name be shared with immigration enforcement?
- We do not know if your personal information will be shared with immigration enforcement. You have to make the best decision for you about your own safety. Contact us if you need help.
- Where do I find my Social Insurance Number?
- If you ever had a work permit, study permit, or applied for refugee status in Canada, you would have received a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This is a nine digit number that started with a ‘9’. Even if your SIN has been expired for many years, you can use it to apply for CERB if you meet all other criteria.
- How will I pay my taxes in 2021 and will it impact my immigration status?
- The government expects you to claim CERB on your tax return in 2021.
- If you have not filed taxes recently or ever, you may want to get help filing your tax return in 2021.
If you are having problems applying for CERB, or need support with your taxes for next year, fill out your information below and we will be in touch with more information.
With or without immigration status, we are all essential workers. We are sustaining this economy, our communities and our families. We deserve income support. But this is just a first step – we also need healthcare, workplace rights, guaranteed protection from immigration enforcement, and permanent resident status. Sign this petition by migrants and for migrants. If you are a migrant or undocumented person who wants to join with others for your rights, contact us: info@migrantrights.ca.
GET IN TOUCH! If you are a non-permanent resident in Canada, or are stuck outside the country, and are losing income because of COVID-19, fill out this form.
This form is managed by Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. We want to know your experiences applying. We can answer questions and connect you to local groups if you need support. All information is confidential. We are a migrant rights organization and will not share information with the government or employers!