Immigrants!! Are you aware of the different benefits that may reduce your financial crunches during this pandemic?

Immigrants who are going through financial issues due to COVID-19 Pandemic can ask for support and take benefits of Canadian government policies. They have continued to improvise new measures in support of their citizens and trying their best to get their economy back on track and most of the measures are applicable for immigrants as well.

Among all those measures, the extension of the  Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is now stretched till the end of September. That means many immigrants and citizens who have pending payments with the deadline of the end of August are now allowed to pay till the end of September.

CERB is a program that is designed to support people who are suffering financially from a pandemic situation with temporary income. On a monthly basis, the program supports with $2,000 CAD.

To get emergency benefits offered by the Canadian government, temporary foreign workers and international students need to go through the eligibility criteria as Canadians. Immigrants on temporary status must live in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).

Canadians who have been laid off in this COVID-19 pandemic and going through financial crises may get three new additional benefits once CERB ends at the end of September.

Residents who were already eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) can take advantage of the program & the rest who are not yet eligible can apply for three new “restoration” benefits starting September 27.

1. The new Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): Government will pay $400 CAD for up to 26 weeks to self-employed residents or to those who have not qualified for EI and still needs financial support as well as searching for jobs.
2. The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB): Government will pay $500 CAD for up to 02 weeks to the workers who are on leave due to medical conditions that fall under COVID-19 symptoms. A condition behind the policy is, an applicant cannot get both the benefits i.e. any other sick leave allowance and CRSB at the same time.
3. The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB): Government will pay $500 CAD per week per family up to 26 weeks to the residents who are not able to work because of caregiving responsibilities, like

• A child under 12 years of age whose school or day-care is closed due to COVID-19;
• A family member with a disability or a dependent whose day-care program is suspended or care facility closed due to COVID-19; or
• A child disabled family member or dependent who is not attending school, day-care, or other care facilities on the advice of a health professional because of high risk for COVID-19.

Note:  Any Canadian resident who is at least 15 years of age and has a valid SIN will be able to apply for the new recovery benefits. All three of the new proposed benefits will be in effect for one year starting September 27, 2020.