Are Students Eligible for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB)?

Many students are wondering if they qualify for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) due to income loss and disruptions caused by the pandemic. Contrary to some initial doubts, both international students and Canadian resident students may indeed be eligible based on certain criteria. This article provides a detailed insight into student eligibility for CERB.

Navigating the Initial Misunderstandings

Initially, it seemed unlikely that students would qualify for the CERB because the primary requirement is losing at least 10,000 Canadian dollars in income due to the pandemic (not 100 as previously stated) and having a past year's income of 5,000 Canadian dollars. Unless a student had been working and lost their job while meeting these income requirements, they would not receive any money. Additionally, there was some uncertainty about whether temporary residents (like many international students) were eligible at all.

Eligibility Criteria Clarified

Upon closer inspection, both international and Canadian resident students have a chance to receive the CERB. The key eligibility criteria include:

Living in Canada Being at least 15 years old Earning at least 5,000 Canadian dollars in employment or self-employment income in 2019 or in the last 12 months Having stopped receiving employment or self-employment income for at least 14 days for reasons outside of your control

Importantly, these criteria do not require that you recently worked full-time, only that you earned at least 5,000 Canadian dollars. Many part-time, seasonal workers, and students fitting this description are eligible. You must also be legally living in Canada and start receiving income in the same year as you apply, but you don't need to have earned the money in Canada to qualify.

Applying for CERB

Applying for the CERB is a straightforward process. As of my latest update, here's what you need to do:

Call the special CERB contact line Provide only your SIN number and your year of birth to identify yourself (no detailed income or employment information required beyond this) Merely affirm that you meet the specified criteria (e.g., having stopped working due to the pandemic and not quitting voluntarily)

Although initial application can be quick and easy, there will likely be some verification steps later to ensure eligibility. However, the focus right now is on expediting the process for those in need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Still have doubts? Here are some common questions and answers:

Do students need to have been working full-time to qualify?
No, the CERB criteria do not require recent full-time employment, only that you earned at least 5,000 Canadian dollars. Can international students receive CERB if they are studying in Canada?
Yes, international students can receive CERB if they meet the other eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they are working or not. Is there a time limit for applying?
As of my update, no time limit has been mentioned for applying for CERB. The focus is on helping those in need immediately.

Conclusion

Though the CERB application criteria initially seemed stringent, careful review reveals that many students, both international and Canadian resident, may be eligible. The process is quick, easy, and designed to help those who have lost income due to the pandemic. For those concerned, the key is to ensure you meet the required income and cessation of income criteria.

Additional Resources

For more information, refer to the official Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website and the dedicated CERB information page provided by the government of Canada. You can also contact the CERB contact line for personalized assistance.