COVID 19- Business Resources

ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT IN OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION AT THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY CENTRE DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. We are here via phone (613) 283-7002 ext 108 (leave a voice and it will be sent to us though email, email us at cjames@smallbizcentre.ca and we post a lot of information though Facebook @smallbizcentre and Instagram @smallbusinesscentre_SF_LC

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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

The Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit have been merged into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CERB has also been better integrated with Employment Insurance to allow workers to apply for benefits through a single window.

This new benefit will cover people who have lost their job, people who are sick or quarantined, and parents who must stay home without pay to care for children, the same as the two previously announced benefits. The new CERB also includes workers who have no income due to the COVID-19 slowdown, but who haven’t yet been officially laid off. It will cover employees, contract workers, and self-employed workers. To qualify, applicants must have had $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, or maternity or parental leave benefits for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day they make the application.

The CERB will pay out $2,000 per month for the next 4 months, backdated to March 15th.

The application form will be available on April 6. If you have already applied for EI, you do not need to also apply for this new benefit, your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB and you will receive the 16-week benefit. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for benefits after October 3, 2020.

You can apply in one of these three ways:

• by accessing it on your CRA MyAccount secure portal;
• by accessing it from your secure My Service Canada Account; or
• by calling a toll free number equipped with an automated application process.

If you’ve already applied for EI you do not need to reapply for the CERB. Your claim will be automatically moved over to the CERB, and benefits paid from this program first. If needed, you can use your hours to apply for EI benefits after October 3, 2020.

You can qualify for the CERB if you had $5,000 in employment income, self-employment income, or maternity or parental leave benefits for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day you make the application.

The application is expected to be available April 6. Benefits should be delivered 10 days after you submit your application form. The earliest you could receive benefits through direct deposit is April 16th  (or slightly later if by mail).

You will continue to receive your EI benefits. If your EI benefits end before October 3rd, 2020, and you are still unable to return to work, you can apply to the CERB once your EI benefits run out.

If you have enough EI insurable hours, you will still be able to access your normal EI benefits after the 16-week period covered by the CERB.

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The province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces

Help is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.―5:00 p.m.

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