The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lock down. The Federal Government announced that the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit is open for applications.
The CWLB is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown is designated for your region. According to Canada.ca, if you are eligible for the CWLB, you can receives $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1 week period. You may apply for any weeks your region is eligible between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
The CWLB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Canada Revenue Agency said British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Labrador and Nunavut are designated lock down regions.
In a press release, the CRA writes:
The government will continue to ensure Canadians have the support needed to deal with the impacts related to the evolving Omicron variant, while also supporting a strong economic recovery. Building on measures included in Bill C-2, the government has approved new regulations that:
Expand the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit to include workers in regions where provincial or territorial governments have introduced or acknowledged capacity restrictions of 50% or more. This benefit will provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly affected by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown, and who have lost 50% or more of their income as a result. Affected Canadian workers in newly designated lockdown regions can apply for the benefit today. Payments will be retroactive to December 19, 2021. To be eligible for the CWLB, you must meet the eligibility criteria which includes, but is not limited to:
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- You earned at least $5,000 in 2020, 2021, or in the 12 months leading up to the day you apply for the benefit;
- You filed a 2020 tax return;
- A region where you work or provide a service is designated as a COVID-19 lockdown region during the application period;
- A designated COVID-19 lockdown in your region resulted in one of the following during the application period:
- you lost your job and are unemployed
- you are self-employed but unable to continue your work
- you are employed or self-employed but had a reduction of at least 50% in your average weekly income as compared to the previous year.These updated regulations will apply from December 19, 2021, to February 12, 2022.
Individuals who tried to apply for the CWLB prior to noon of December 30th in regions not yet designated as eligible by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have been asked to call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to speak to an agent to finalize their application.
Find out if your region is eligible here.
Who can apply? Find out here.
When to apply: Find out here.
For more about the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.
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