4 COVID-19 Financial Benefits Still Available To Quebec Workers Affected By The Pandemic
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to share a "rundown" of Canada's COVID-19 benefits.
"With cases rising across the country, and lockdowns happening in several places, I want to be clear: we’re going to continue doing whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to keep you safe and supported," he wrote.
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On its website, the Government of Quebec also outlines the financial benefits that are still available to workers who have been affected by the pandemic.
Four of those federal programs are listed below.Â
The most up-to-date information on application requirements and eligibility for these benefits is available online.
The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Through the CRB, workers "who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits" can get some financial assistance.
Those eligible can get $1,000 for a single two-week period. After that, applicants can reapply "up to a total of 13 eligibility periods" covering 26 weeks.
Among other eligibility criteria, applicants must not have received any of the other benefits on this list.
In addition to workers who "were not employed or self-employed for reasons related to COVID-19," those who "had a 50% reduction in [their] average weekly income compared to the previous year due to COVID-19" may also apply.
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
This benefit is for workers, either employed or self-employed, "who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care."
The government makes clear that "this applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19."
Eligible applicants could receive $500 for each qualifying week for up to 26 weeks before September 25, 2021.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
The much-discussed Recovery Sickness Benefit is for workers who "are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19."
Eligible applicants could get $500 for each week they are unable to work, for a maximum of two weeks and a total of $1,000 — but they'll need to re-apply after the first week.
The benefit does not apply to people who are in isolation after non-essential travel abroad.
Expanded Employment Insurance
Changes that went into effect on September 27, 2020, have expanded access to the federal EI program.Â
Some of the changes include one-time credits of 300 insured hours for workers with 120 insured hours who are "applying for regular benefits" and minimum payments of "$500 per week before taxes, or $300 per week before taxes for extended parental benefits but you could receive more."
The complete list of changes, which will be in effect for one year, is available online.
Benefits vary according to an individual's situation. You should always check the latest updates and qualification requirements.
