How to apply: CERB with CRA
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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA
Sections
- Who can apply
- Determine your eligibility periods: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA
- How to apply: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Validation of applications: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Return or repay a payment: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Contact us about CERB
How to apply
Status: Ended
Retroactive applications
The CRA is continuing to accept and process retroactive applications until December 2, 2020.
You can apply for periods 5 to 7 through the CRA’s My Account or automated toll-free phone line at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.
You can apply for periods 1 to 4 by speaking to one of our agents at 1-800-232-1966. Please note that you may be required to provide additional documentation to the CRA prior to your application being approved. Supporting documents must be received by December 7, 2020.
Find support after CERB
If you continue to need income support, find out if you are eligible for Employment Insurance or other Recovery benefits.
On this page
Before you apply
Answer the following questions to ensure your application will be quick and easy:
Confirm you are correctly registered with the CRA
Great. You can apply using CRA My Account. You can also make sure your direct deposit information is up to date.
The fastest way for you to apply for the CERB is to call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.
You have 2 options:
- You can recover your user ID and password by going to CRA My Account (opens in new window)
- Select 'CRA Login'
- Choose 'Forgot your user ID' or 'Forgot your password'
- If you 'Forgot your user ID' you will need your:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- date of birth
- copy of this year's or last year's assessed personal tax return
- answers to the security questions you set up during registration
- If you 'Forgot your user ID' you will need your:
- If you can't recover your account, the fastest way for you to apply for the CERB is to call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041
You do not need to register for a CRA My Account. After you sign in to My Service Canada Account (opens in new window):
- Select 'Switch to Canada Revenue Agency'
- At the bottom of the 'Registration and Authentication' page, confirm 'I agree'
- You will be transferred to CRA My Account
- Update your address and direct deposit information
To apply online, you will need to register for a CRA My Account (opens in new window). Otherwise, you must call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.
We strongly encourage you to file a tax return for 2019. For more information on how to file, go to Doing your taxes. After it is assessed, you can register a CRA My Account (opens in new window). Applying through CRA MyAccount will be much faster and easier.
To apply by phone, you will also need to file a 2019 tax return to avoid delays with your application.
We strongly encourage you to file a tax return for 2019. Filing your taxes first will make the application process much faster and easier. For more information on how to file, go to: Doing your taxes or call 1-833-959-8281.
Set up direct deposit
Direct deposit payments take 5-7 business days. A cheque takes about 12-14 business days.
Check impact on your social assistance benefits
When to apply
Select the period you are eligible for to find out when you can apply. If you're not sure, review the eligibility period dates in a calendar.
Determine when to apply
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
You can apply retroactively for this period, until December 2, 2020.
Alternative format: When to apply
| Period | Start and end dates | Earliest you can apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 15, 2020 to April 11, 2020 | Monday April 6, 2020 |
| 2 | April 12, 2020 to May 9, 2020 | Monday April 13, 2020 |
| 3 | May 10, 2020 to June 6, 2020 | Monday May 11, 2020 |
| 4 | June 7, 2020 to July 4, 2020 | Monday June 8, 2020 |
| 5 | July 5, 2020 to August 1, 2020 | Monday July 6, 2020 |
| 6 | August 2, 2020 to August 29, 2020 | Monday August 3, 2020 |
| 7 | August 30, 2020 to September 26, 2020 | Monday August 31, 2020 |
Apply online or by phone
The CERB has now ended. You can continue to apply retroactively, but the process is different depending on the period you are applying for.
Periods 1 to 4 (March 15 to July 4, 2020)
You can apply for periods 1 to 4 by calling 1-800-232-1966. You may be required to provide additional documentation to the CRA prior to your application being approved.
Periods 5 to 7 (July 5 to September 26, 2020)
You can apply for periods 5 to 7 through the CRA’s My Account or automated toll-free phone line.
Read the Privacy Statement
When you apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), your personal information is collected under the authority of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act which is being jointly administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Your personal information will be used for the purpose of (i) administering your application, and could be used for (ii) issuing a payment to you, (iii) verifying that you meet the program's eligibility requirements, and to (iv) collect any overpayments or erroneous payments that may have been issued to you. Failure to provide information will affect your consideration for benefits.
Please note that to process your application we will need to access information in your tax file. Your information may be shared with ESDC for verification and reporting purposes.
Under the Privacy Act, you have a right of protection, access to and correction of your personal information and to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding our handling of your information.
A personal information bank for this program is under development and will be available in Info Source.
- Online:
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Sign in to your CRA My Account
If you do not have a CRA My Account, register for one. - By phone:
- Call the automated toll-free line
- Before you call
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To verify your identity, you'll need
- your social insurance number (SIN)
- postal code
- Telephone number
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Follow the instructions below before you call 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041
Instructions
- Select your language preference: English or French
- Press '2' to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
- Follow the prompts to enter your information, including:
- your SIN
- confirmation of your postal code
- the period you are applying for
- Declare that you qualify for the benefit
The CRA will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque, based on the payment method we have on file for you.
Both of these services are available 21 hours a day, 7 days a week. Both services are closed from 3:00 am to 6:00 am (Eastern time) for maintenance.
The CERB is a taxable benefit
You will need to report any payments you received on next year's income tax return. A T4A tax slip will be made available for the 2020 tax year in CRA My Account under Tax Information Slips (T4 and more).
When to expect your payment
If you are eligible for the CERB, you can expect to get $2,000 ($500 per week) for the 4-week eligibility period you applied for.
Direct deposit
Direct deposit takes 5-7 business days if you have it set up with the CRA.
By mail
A mailed cheque should arrive in about 12-14 business days. However, in some cases it will take longer for payments to be issued.
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- Date modified:
- 2020-11-30