Transitioning from Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to CRB

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https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit/crb-transition-ei.html

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Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)


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Transitioning from Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to CRB

If you are no longer eligible for EI benefits and still need income support, you may be eligible for the CRB.

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If you recently exhausted your EI benefits

You may be able to establish a new EI claim if you worked during your EI claim. To determine your EI eligibility, you should make an EI claim before you apply for the CRB.

Download poster: Have you exhausted your EI benefits?

If you no longer qualify for EI

Your EI benefit period must end before you can apply for the CRB. You must meet the CRB eligibility criteria to apply.

Once your EI benefit periods has ended, you must wait for the current CRB period to end before you can apply. You may receive $600 ($540 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period.

If your EI benefit period ends in the middle of a CRB 2-week period, you may apply for the second week of the CRB period. This only applies if your EI benefit period ends on any of the following dates:

  • September 18, 2021
  • October 2, 2021
  • October 16, 2021

If this applies to you, the option to select 1 week will be provided for that CRB period only. You will receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for the period.

The CRB does not renew automatically. To keep getting your payments, you must re-apply after each period.

The CRB ends after period 28 (October 10 to 23, 2021). Your combined maximum number of weeks of EI regular benefits and CRB together cannot exceed 27 periods (54 weeks).

Find out which periods you can apply for.

How to apply

The fastest way to apply is online using CRA My Account.

You must file your 2019 or 2020 taxes before you can apply for the CRB.

Details: How to apply

If you get code COV-026 when you apply

Even if you are no longer receiving EI payments, your benefit period may still be open. This will prevent you from completing your CRB application. Make sure your EI benefit period has ended before you apply for the CRB.

Get details about an open EI claim

Compare EI and CRB

Find out how the CRB is different from EI.

Compare EI and CRB
How it works Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) Employment Insurance (EI)
Eligibility You must attest to the eligibility criteria when you apply and CRA will validate your application Service Canada determines if you qualify when you apply
When to apply Apply every 2 weeks, at the end of each set 2-week periods Apply once, as soon as you lose your job
How to apply Online or by phone with CRA Online or in person with Service Canada
Keep getting payments Apply again for each eligible 2-week period Complete a report every 2 weeks
How much you get $600 for 2 weeks ($540 after taxes withheld) Based on prior earnings, up to a maximum of $595 per week, but no less than $300 per week for claims between September 26, 2021 and November 20, 2021
Earning income

Eligible if you had a 50% reduction in your average weekly income due to COVID-19

Details: eligibility criteria

 Your ongoing entitlement is based on your bi-weekly reports
When the benefit ends October 23, 2021 or a maximum of 27 periods (54 weeks), including the weeks you received EI regular benefits When your benefit period ends or you have received your maximum number of weeks

Who to contact


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Date modified:
2021-11-10