On February 19, 2021, the CRA has announced a proposed extension to the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) eligibility period limits. The change would allow eligible recipients to apply for a total of 19 periods (38 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
CRB
Claimants who would begin to exhaust their CRB on March 27, 2021 will have an additional 12 weeks to claim the taxable benefit until June 19, 2021. Thus, the change means the CRB eligibility period limits extend from 26 weeks to 38 weeks, or 19 instead of 13 eligibility periods. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will still pay eligible claimants $900 net — $1,000 less 10% withholding tax — every two weeks. CRB is on its 12th eligibility period (February 28 to March 13, 2021).
CRCB
Meanwhile, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) has been extended to 38 weeks, too. CRCB benefit is for employed and self-employed individuals who can’t work because they must care for their children below or under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. The CRCB pays $450 weekly ($500 minus 10% withholding tax) per household.
Other recovery benefits extention
CRSB
The federal government had also increase the number of weeks available under the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) through regulation from the current 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
With some recipients facing a cut-off by the end of March 2021, the federal government enhanced the CRSB until June 30, 2020.
EI benefit extension
The federal government also increases the number of weeks of EI regular benefits available by up to 24 weeks to a maximum of 50 weeks through legislation, for claims that are made between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. EI recipients can now receive the regular benefits up to 50 weeks or 24 weeks extension from 26 weeks.
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