Ginette Marcoux | Special to the Fitzhugh
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jasper Employment and Education Centre has been helping employees and employers sort through the benefit relief programs.
There has been a lot of confusion for folks as to what benefits they are eligible for while others have applied for benefit programs that they are not entitled to. Know that the government will eventually catch up to individuals and that everything should be done to straighten things out while you can.
Here are some common inquiries that our office is fielding and helping people with. We are here to help, don't hesitate in calling our office on 780 852 4418.
Q. What are the requirements to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
A. There are two streams of funding for CERB benefits - one through My Service Canada Account (MSCA) and the other through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You cannot apply for both.
MSCA CERB: This fund is for individuals who have stopped working for reasons due to COVID-19, have worked a minimum of four months full time or eight months part time in the past year, have not quit a job voluntarily, reside in Canada, have stopped working for at least 14 days within the four week period and expect to earn no more than a $1,000, and are 15 years or older at time of application. All of these requirements must be met prior to application.
CRA CERB: This fund is for individuals who have stopped working due to COVID-19 and do not expect to receive more than $1,000 for 14 days in a row over the one month period, did not leave their job voluntarily, and have earned a minimum of $5,000 before taxes (either through employment or self-employment income) in the past year, reside in Canada, or are no longer eligible for EI benefits but received at least one week of benefits since Dec 29, 2019, and are at least 15 years or older at time of application. All of these requirements must be met prior to application.
Q. Do I need to complete reports while on CERB benefits?
A. Absolutely, if you are on CERB - MSCA you will need to report bi-weekly. As soon as you get your access code, you must log in and start reporting otherwise your benefits will stop being processed. If you are applying for CERB through CRA, you will need to apply on a monthly basis.
Q. What if I applied for CERB both through MSCA and CRA?
A. You cannot be paid through both programs, it is critical that you call the correct program to cancel your application if you have applied for both. If you need help figuring out which program you should be in, we can help you with that. Once you are clear, you will have to contact CERB CRA: 1-800-959-8281 or CERB MSCA: 1-800-206-7218.
Q. I applied for EI Sick benefits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but was not actually sick or in self-isolation, what should I do?
A. You must contact EI to report that there was an error in your application and that you have applied for the incorrect fund.
Q. I am turning 15 years old in two weeks, can I apply for CERB?
A. You can only apply for CERB if you have stopped working because of reasons relating to COVID-19. If you were not working prior to March 15 you do not qualify.
Q. I applied for CERB when I was first laid off and then returned to my home country, I then received the money while in my country. What should I do?
A. Any Temporary Foreign Workers receiving CERB must be living in Canada. If you have received these funds they should be returned to the federal government. You can mail your repayment to:
Make cheque payable to: Receiver General of Canada, indicate it is Repayment of Cerb
Revenue Processing - Repayment of CERB
Sudbury Tax Centre
1050 Notre Dame Ave
Sudbury, ON P3A 0C1
Q. Is the CERB Benefit taxable?
A. Yes, you can expect to repay anywhere from $2,000 to $2,400 in taxes next year if you receive the full $8,000 benefit. We encourage people to set some of the money aside that may not be needed, possibly in a savings account so that you have the money to pay your taxes next year.
Q. If I am being recalled by my employer but would rather stay on CERB, is that ok?
A. No, individuals may find themselves disqualified from further benefits if they refuse to go back to work as it will be considered as a resignation or that they have voluntarily left their job. One of the eligibility requirements for CERB is that you have not voluntarily left your job.
Q. Can I earn money while on CERB Benefits?
A. Yes, the federal government announced that you can earn up to $1,000 per month while on CERB.
Q. How should I be advised that I am being called back to work?
A. Your employer must provide you with a seven day recall notice in writing. Should you decide that you don't want to go back to work once you have been recalled, you will be considered to have abandoned your position which would be viewed as a quit. Employees lose all seniority and forfeit all rights if: the employee resigns or employment is properly terminated or they do not return to work within three work days of the stated reporting date, or they cannot be located after the employer makes reasonable efforts to recall them.
Q. If employees refuse to come back to work after a recall notice, should employers issue a Record of Employment?
A. Yes, an updated Record of Employment should be submitted to the federal government.
Disclaimer: Please be advised that the Employment Standards legislation and rules to CERB benefits continues to change on a regular basis. While this information is up to date and what we know today, things could be different again tomorrow.
