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CSI Supports: CERB application walk-through

  • Categories Guides
Audra Williams

Audra Williams

IMPORTANT NOTE: The requirements for the Canada Emergency Response Benefits program have opened up.

You are now eligible if all the following apply to you:

  • You reside in Canada
  • You are at least 15 years old
  • You earn less $1000/month
  • You have not voluntarily quit your job
  • You have had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of your application. (Note: This $5000 does not have to have been earned in Canada

… and at least one of the following applies to you:

  • You have stopped working because of COVID-19
  • You were expecting a seasonal job, but it’s now gone
  • You’ve run out of EI since January 1

Additional note: If you are on EI, you will be automatically moved to CERB while it is available. Once the CERB program is closed, you will be moved back to regular EI.

As COVID-19 is increasing economic uncertainty and insecurity across the country, we want to make sure that everyone gets the support they need.

One of the programs that has been launched is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (aka CERB). This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you determine that the CERB is the best fit for you, you’ll be able to apply this week. Here is a screen-by-screen breakdown of what that process looks like. (We are including the address bar in the images so you can check to make sure you are on the right page!)

Step one: Check out this chart to determine which day you should apply:

Step two: On your application date, go to CRA MyAccount. You should see the screen below. Choose from one of these two options to log in. If you use online banking, you can choose “Sign-in Partner Login / Register” and sign in the same way you would to your online banking. (For the purpose of this walk-through, we will be demonstrating sign-in via sign-in partner.)

Step three: When you click “Sign-in Partner Login / Register” you will get this pop-up. If it is your day to apply, click the “Sign-in Partner Login / Register” button again.

Step four: Click on the logo of your bank or credit union. If your bank or credit union isn’t on the list, you will have to navigate back to the login screen and login via CRA. If you do not have a CRA login, this video shows how to sign up for one.

Step five: You will be taken to your online banking sign-in screen, with a “Secure Key Concierge” logo in the top right corner. This is what that screen looks like for TD Canada Trust; all the interfaces are pretty similar.

Step six: After you have logged in via your online banking details, you will be taken to a screen that looks like this. There will be a light cyan box specifically about the CERB. Click the “Apply” button in that box.

Step seven: You will be taken to this screen, which breaks down the Eligibility for CERB. If you meet the criteria, click on “Select a period”. A drop-down menu will appear that says “March 15 to April 11, 2020” (that will be the only option).

Step eight: You will be taken to a screen to certify that you meet all of the criteria. You will need no documentation to prove your eligibility. (The $5000 you are required to have earned could have happened between either January 1 2019 to January 1 2020 or April 11 2019 to April 11 2020.)

Step nine: You will be taken to a screen to confirm that your banking information is correct. Make sure the money is being deposited into an account you have access to! If it is not, click “update direct deposit” and navigate through that process.

Step ten: That’s it! You’re done! You should get your $2000 deposit in three business days!

We hope this has been helpful; remember that you will have to do it again next month! If you use an online calendar or day planner, make a note to remind yourself to go through the process again the week of May 11. We will update this doc if any part of the process changes. If you are looking for other types of information or support right now, check out CSI Supports.

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