Benefits, credits and financial support: CRA and COVID-19
COVID-19: Important updates
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): Apply in CRA My Account or over the phone.
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Apply using CRA My Business Account, Represent a Client, or the Web Forms application.
- Call 1-833-966-2099 to speak to an agent about CERB or CEWS.
Financial support is available to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including new benefits and credits and changes to existing ones.
File your tax return electronically before the extended deadline of June 1, 2020 to make sure your existing benefits and credits are not interrupted. Allow up to 5 business days after the scheduled benefit or credit payment date before calling us.
On this page
- Benefits, credits and support
- Get your payments faster with direct deposit
- Benefit reviews by the CRA are on hold
Benefits, credits and support
Apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA
CERB provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working and are without employment or self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19. It provides a payment of $2,000 for a 4-week period for up to 16 weeks.
COVID-19 financial support
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
CEWS provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020, as a result of COVID-19. Starting April 27, 2020, eligible employers can apply in CRA My Business Account or through a separate online application form.
COVID-19 financial support
Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment increase
Families that are entitled to receive the CCB for April 2020 and still have an eligible child in their care in May 2020 will get up to $300 extra per child as part of their regular May 2020 payment.
Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) minimum withdrawal reduced
The minimum withdrawals requirement from RRIFs will be reduced by 25% for 2020, in recognition of volatile market conditions and their impact on many seniors' retirement savings.
Get your payments faster with direct deposit
Register for direct deposit in your CRA My Account for the quickest and most reliable way to get benefit and credit payments.
You can also sign up for direct deposit or change your account information through many financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and trust companies.
New Sign up for Direct Deposit through your financial institution
Benefit reviews by the CRA are on hold
Benefit reviews are on hold until further notice. If you received a letter from CRA that includes a deadline to respond or asks for documents, you do not need to take any action right now. CRA will contact you again when the situation changes.
If you are a benefit recipient whose payments have been stopped or adjusted after a review and you have sent in the requested documents, your account will be processed as a priority. Keep your documents in case they are chosen for review in the future.
Learn more: What to do if the Canada Revenue Agency reviews your benefits
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