Changes to the EI Program in effect until September 24, 2022:

• You need to have accumulated 420 hours of insurable employment during your qualifying period to qualify for EI benefits.
• The one week waiting period for EI will be NO LONGER be temporarily waived for those who apply after September 25, 2021.
• EI insurance premium rates will remain the same for 2 years.

To qualify for EI:

You were employed in insurable employment.

Lost your job through no fault of your own

Have been without work and without pay for at least 7 consecutive days in the last 52 weeks.

Have worked for the required number of insurable employment hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter.

Are ready, willing and capable of working each day.

Are actively looking for work.

General information about EI:

The program provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (for example, due to shortage of work, or seasonal or mass lay-offs) and are available for and able to work, but cannot find a job.

Always apply for EI benefits as soon as you stop working. You can apply for benefits even if you have not yet received your record of employment (ROE). If you delay filing your claim for benefits for more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.Click Here for more information on how to apply or call 1-833-381-2725 for more information.

Note: If you need a call back from Service Canada, you may request a call back by filling out their Service Request form.

The federal government has proposed 3 new income support benefits to support people now that CERB has ended. These programs will be available until October 23, 2021 and they are:

• The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will provide $500/week to workers who are sick, must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19 or have a health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. Eligible individuals can apply for a total of 26 weeks for the CRSB program.
• The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) will provide $500/week to those who are employed or self-employed because they must stay at home to care for:
  • A family member and unable to work at least 50% of your scheduled work week
  • A child under the age of 12 or a family member who needs supervised care
• The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) [EXPIRED] will provide $1000 bi-weekly to those who are self-employed or those who are not eligible for EI, but still require income support, and are available and looking for work. Eligible individuals can apply for a total of 26 weeks for the CRB program.

All eligible individuals can apply for these benefits through the Canada Revenue Agency.

For more information, click here.

The Canada Revenue Agency has informed the public that benefit reviews have no resumed. This means you may be contacted to request documentation or information in order to complete the review. Don’t fret, however, it is important to send all requested documents to them as soon as possible.

You will still continue to receive your benefits/credits during the review, however if you do not respond to the letter, they can only go off the information they have and your benefit may be reduced or stop all together, as well as the need to potentially repay benefits that were sent to you in which you were not eligible for.

Over 200,000 letters per year are sent out for review to ensure the CRA has the correct information. They use impartial, non-discriminatory criteria for file reviews, and the files are selected based on risk and whether you’ve had a life event that affects your benefits.

For more information, click here.

A new mobile app, COVID Alert, is now available to Canadians to help them notify users if they have been exposed to COVID-19. Using the app is voluntary but encouraged to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

For more information, click here.

Since many Canadians are working from home due to COVID, they may be eligible for a tax deduction if they work from home for 50% or more.

For more information, click here.

Emergency orders were issued by the federal government that temporarily suspends in-person execution of wills and personal planning instruments. These orders are in effect as of May 19, 2020 and allows for a remote executions of the legal documents.

For more information, click here.

Effective noon, April 20, 2020, all passengers flying to Canada are required to cover their nose and mouth with a non-medical mask or covering on all flights. Those who are unable to do so will not be allowed to board the planes. For more information, click here.

Canadians who are financially unable to return home on their own means, may apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad. This program is a repayable loan to facilitate their return and cover basic needs while still abroad. To apply, contact:

• The nearest Government of Canada office,
• Call +1-613-996-8885
• Email CAN.finances.CV19@international.gc.ca

For more information, click here.

The federal government has launched a new portal for Canadians. The portal offers resources, tools, apps and connections to mental health professionals. For more information, click here.

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) may be able to provide business, non-profit organizations or charities a subsidy to cover their commercial rent or property expenses until June 2021. Applicants must show that they had a drop in revenue during the pandemic and must meet one of the following criteria:

• Had a CRA business number on September 27, 2020.
• Had a payroll account on March 15, 2020.
• Purchased business assets of another person or partnership who had a payroll account on March 15, 2020.
• Meet other conditions that may be introduced in the future.

For more information, click here.

The Establishing a Business Credit Availability Program can help small and medium sized businesses cover payroll and operating costs caused by the pandemic.

For more information, click here

Qualifying businesses can request a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive as of March 15, 2020. Businesses will have to show that there has been a decline of in revenue.

For more information, click here