What is the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit? (Latest updates from CRSB)

Canada Sickness Benefit for Economic Recovery or CRSB is a Government of Canada initiative to help individuals and families affected by COVID-19.

As part of the recently launched Economic Response Plan initiatives, the Canadian government announced a series of new programs to help support individuals, businesses and families affected by the pandemic.

As you all may already know, the CERB or Canadian Emergency Response Program ends on September 26. Despite the disappearance of the CERB, millions of Canadians find themselves unemployed and need financial assistance to survive.

Some of the newly introduced CERB alternatives are the CRB (Canada Recovery Benefit), the CERB (Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit), a newly designed Employment Insurance program, the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB), as well as the CESB for students.

From what I understand, to replace the CERB, 3 new programs were introduced:

Canada Recovery Benefit (PCRE) – $500/week for 26 weeks. You must reapply every 2 weeks. Total amount of the benefit – $10,400 (considering that you are applying for the 26 weeks)
Canadian Economic Recovery Benefit for Caregivers (PCREPA) – $500/week for 26 weeks. Total amount of the benefit – $13,000 (considering that you are applying for the 26 weeks)
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) – $500/week for 2 weeks. Total amount of the benefit: $1,000.

All 3 programs have a pending start date of September 27. Even if they are paid back. (you wait then apply after the 2 week period)

In this article, let’s try to focus on what CRSB is, how to apply for it, when does it come into effect, CRSB vs. CRSB, CRSB vs. AE, etc.

Before we begin, it is important to know that at the time of writing this article, the SCRB is still awaiting passage of legislation in the House and Senate. More details will be made official soon. So make sure to bookmark this page for the latest updates and information. Let’s get started.

What is CRSB?

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit or CSRSB is one of the COVID-19 economic response plans recently launched by the Government of Canada. It comes into force on September 27.

The CRSB will be in effect for the next year, starting on the 27th.

The SCRB benefit is currently awaiting passage of legislation in the House and Senate. More details will soon be made available by the government in the coming days.

If you are applying for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), check out my CERB article, I mentioned the step-by-step guide on how to apply. (Links below)

Related:

How much can you get from CRSB?

The CRSB which starts September 27 will pay $500 every two weeks for 1 year. That’s $2,000 per month in total.

The new Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit or CSRSB will provide $500 per week, up to 2 weeksfrom September 27, 2020 for a period of one year, for workers unable to work because they are ill or must self-isolate due to COVID-19.

If you are eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1 week period.

To apply to the SCRB, you must meet all eligibility criteria and be employed or self-employed the day before your first application period.

SCRB

Who can apply for the CRSB?

Alright, in this section, let’s see who is eligible to apply for the CSRB and what the official guidelines are:

You must reside in Canada during the SCRB application period
You are at least 15 years old; as on the first day of the application period and have a valid social insurance number (SIN) to possess
You must have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020 or in the 12 months preceding your application. Sources of income may include: employment income, self-employment income, maternity or parental Employment Insurance (EI) benefits; or benefits from the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP)
You are not required to produce a medical certificate to be eligible for the PCMRE benefit. You cannot request or receive additional paid sick leave for the same benefit period. To be eligible for PCMRE, you must have missed at least 60% of your scheduled work during the week for which you are requesting the benefit.
If you were unable to work at least 50% of your normally scheduled work in a given week due to illness or if you had to self-isolate for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You do not benefit from paid leave from an employer for the same week
You are not receiving the CERB, the Employment Insurance Emergency Benefit (ERP), the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits or any Employment Insurance or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefit for the same week.

How to apply for CRSB?

Just like the CERB, you can apply for the PCMRE by logging into your CRA My Account.

If you log in today, you won’t find any links to CRSB.

From September 27, the date from which you can start requesting the SCRB amount.

Even if the CRSB passes the Senate in October, eligibility dates will still be retroactive to September 27. (official start date of the program). Remember, CERB was open for applications starting April 6th, but you were paid for days starting March 15th.

You should probably see an update on the CRA’s My Account page. (As with the CERB, the link to apply was directly on the homepage, so it should be something similar to that). Currently, there is not much information available beyond basic high-level guidelines.

To apply for CRSB, starting September 27, please follow the steps below:

Log in to your CRA My Account
Click on the CRSB link (this will probably be the same as the CERB link now and should be readily available on the CRA account home page)
Follow the questionnaires and you will be required to self-certify regarding minimum income requirements and eligibility requirements.
Submit your CRSB application for review and wait for the CRA’s response.

The only difference between the PCU and the PCMRE is that, although the monthly amount of the benefit is the same, i.e. $2,000. CERB payments were made in advance for the entire month. (or the eligibility period).

Whereas with the CRSB, these are backpayments. You will only be able to request payment after a week ($500 at a time) and complete the self-affidavit stating that you are actively looking for work.

SCRB benefit payments are taxable.

Since this is not EI, I don’t think you will need to file the return online. Because CSIS is for people who are not eligible for employment insurance in the first place.

SCRB

CRSB Case Study

To better understand the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and how it works, let’s take Emma’s example.

Emma works at a small grocery store in Toronto, Ontario, earning around $34,000 per year.
She has worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
She has just learned that she must isolate for 14 days because a member of her family tested positive for COVID-19.

What might Emma be entitled to: (according to the CRSB)

With the new Canada Sickness Benefit for economic recoveryEmma may be entitled to $500 per week, for up to two weeks, provided she does not receive paid leave from her employer.

Useful CRA links (CRSB and other benefits)

1. Official CRSB ARC page: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html

2. CRSB CRA contact page for specific questions and assistance: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit/crsb-contact.html

3. The ARC benefits page in general: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits.html

4. CRA COVID-19 benefits and services page: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19-emergency-benefits.html

5. Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan page: https://www.canada.ca/fr/ministere-finances/economic-response-plan.html

Last words

While the Government of Canada is doing its best to help Canadian families stay afloat during the pandemic, it is all of our responsibility to actively recognize, help and support those in need. These are difficult times for everyone.

Although the CERB is being phased out this month on the 26th, people still looking for a job should hopefully find one soon. But with the start of the second wave (official announcement from Justin Trudeau), everything seems bleak again, with no sign of vaccination.

In summary, CRSB opens its doors on September 27 and is available to help the needy and those affected by the pandemic. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please apply. starting tomorrow.

Make sure you opt for direct bank payments on the CRA website, this will only make the process faster and you will receive benefits sooner.

Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts and questions, if any, below.

Share this article with your friends and family if you are looking for information about CRSB.