Income Assistance (CERB/EI) Workers' Rights and Immigration during COVID-19 Hosted by CLEO in partnership with: Liz Majic, Connecting Ottawa Heather Neufeld, Private Bar Lawyer/Volunteer, Connecting Ottawa Karen Cocq , Migrant Workers’ Alliance for Change April 23, 2020 Supported by:
Disclaimer This webinar is for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem. This webinar was recorded on April 23, 2020, and reflects developments in the law before that date. 2
Land Acknowledgement We acknowledge that since time immemorial the land on which we live and work has been the home and traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis relatives. CLEO’s work is also carried out across the many traditional territories of this land that is also known as Ontario. We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work in the community on this land. We acknowledge our privilege as well as our role in the systems of colonization. 3
Our Presenters From CLEO • Fiona MacCool, Digital Projects Manager • Michelle Cader, Community Training and Outreach Manager • Karen Dick, Legal Education Trainer Guest Presenters • Liz Majic, Connecting Ottawa • Heather Neufeld, Private Bar Lawyer/Volunteer, Connecting Ottawa • Karen Cocq , Migrant Workers’ Alliance for Change 4
CLEO • Produces reliable legal information in plain language for those living on low-incomes and those who are marginalized o Steps to Justice: answers and next steps in 13 areas of law o Live chat on Steps to Justice, offered everyday o Justice pas- à -pas: step by step information in French o Free print brochures that Ontario not-for-profits can order • Supports community and legal workers with training, tools, and a community of practice 5
COVID:19 Updates on the law and legal services 6
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Outline 1. CERB and other income benefits during COVID-19 (Liz Majic) • Eligibility criteria • CERB and EI • Application process • Privacy considerations for front-line workers • Emergency Leaves • Workers’ Rights scenarios 2. Immigration relating to work and CERB (Heather Neufeld) • Immigration status and CERB • Work permits and CERB • Sponsorships and CERB 3. Immigration and income for international students (Karen Cocq) • Immigration (visas/permits) • Income support • Organizing for expanded access to income benefits 4. Questions 8
Overview of CERB ▪ Single payment of $2,000 every 4 weeks up to max of 16 weeks ▪ Benefit available from March 15-Oct 3, 2020 (can apply no later than Dec 2, 2020) ▪ Not taxable at source, but must report as income in 2020 tax year ▪ Must re-apply every 4-weeks if still eligible ▪ Individual family members can apply if they meet eligibility criteria ▪ Can apply regardless of job type (full-time, part-time, self- employed) and whether or not you qualify for EI ▪ Must reside in Canada to apply, but income can be earned elsewhere ▪ Do not need a Record of Employment (ROE) to apply A PROJECT OF
Overview of CERB Eligibility Criteria ▪ You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period (see below) AND ▪ You reside in Canada AND ▪ You are at least 15 years of age or older AND ▪ You have a valid Social Insurance Number AND ▪ You did not quit your job voluntarily AND ▪ You have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19*, or are eligible for EI regular benefits or EI sickness benefits, or have exhausted your EI regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 AND ▪ In 2019, or in the last 12 months, you had a total income of at least $5,000 from employment, self- employment, or EI maternity or parental leave benefits AND ▪ If you are applying for the first time, you cannot have earned more than $1,000 (before taxes) in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more days in a row during the 4-week benefit period AND ▪ When re-applying for another period, you cannot have earned more than $1000 (before taxes) in employment and/or self-employment income during the entire 4-week benefit period (Will be verified against tax records). * Reasons include: you lost your job, or you are sick or in quarantine, or you are taking care of others because they are sick or in quarantine, or you are caring for children or other dependents because their care facility is closed. A PROJECT OF
Eligibility periods ▪ March 15 to April 11 ▪ April 12 to May 9 ▪ May 10 to June 6 ▪ June 7 to July 4 ▪ July 5 to August 1 ▪ August 2 to August 29 ▪ August 30 to September 26 A PROJECT OF
CERB vs EI regular and EI sickness benefits You became eligible for EI before March 15, 2020 ▪ If you are already receiving EI regular benefits or EI sickness benefits, you will continue to receive these benefits until the end of your benefit period. ▪ You cannot receive EI and CERB at the same time. DON’T APPLY FOR BOTH! ▪ You should apply for EI regular or sickness benefits through Service Canada IF: ▪ You became eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits BEFORE March 15, 2020. ▪ You will receive your usual EI entitlement - even if less than $500 per week - until it runs out. ▪ If your EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, and you are unable to find work due to COVID-19, you may apply for the CERB as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria. A PROJECT OF
CERB vs EI regular and EI sickness benefits You became eligible for EI benefits on or after March 15, 2020 ▪ You should apply for CERB through Service Canada if you are eligible for EI benefits on or after March 15, 2020. ▪ You will receive $2000 ($500/week) regardless of what you would receive from EI (which can be up to $573/week). ▪ You are not required to report every two weeks if receiving CERB. Rather, you must re-apply for the CERB every four weeks if you are still eligible. ▪ You will receive up to 16 weeks of CERB and then you will receive EI regular or sickness benefits afterwards, if you still have not found work due to COVID-19. ▪ The period that you received the CERB will not impact your EI entitlement. A PROJECT OF
CERB vs EI regular and EI sickness You are not eligible for EI but eligible for CERB You should apply for CERB and will receive benefits for 16 weeks. Note: if you lost employment income before March 15, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, you will not receive CERB for any period before March 15, 2020. A PROJECT OF
CERB vs EI regular and EI sickness benefits What if you mistakenly applied for the CERB twice or for EI and CERB? ▪ The government will contact you shortly. ▪ You will be asked to return one of the payments. If you no longer have the cheque or were paid by direct deposit, you can mail your repayment to: Revenue Processing – Repayment of CERB Sudbury Tax Centre 1050 Notre Dame Avenue Sudbury, ON P3A 0C1 ▪ Make payable to “Receiver General for Canada” & indicate “Repayment of CERB”. ▪ Include your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or your Temporary Tax Number (TTN) If you were paid by cheque and you return to work early, return the original cheque by mail to: Revenue Processing – Repayment of CERB Sudbury Tax Centre 1050 Notre Dame Avenue Sudbury, ON P3A 0C1 A PROJECT OF
Receiving CERB while on OW or ODSP ▪ For existing Ontario Works (those granted prior to March 1st, 2020) and all ODSP applicants/recipients: CERB payments will qualify for a partial exemption: the first $200, and 50 per cent of each additional dollar received in a month will be exempt. ▪ For new and recent Ontario Works applicants – those granted on or after March 1st, 2020: CERB payments will be deducted dollar-for-dollar when determining eligibility for social assistance. ▪ Note : Ontario Works and ODSP recipients who qualify for the CERB partial exemption but become financially ineligible will not lose access to health benefits. These recipients will remain on social assistance, at a nominal amount, to ensure continued access to benefits and case management supports. A PROJECT OF
Not eligible for CERB but need $ ▪ If you are receiving Ontario Works, you may be eligible for the Ontario Emergency Assistance Program. You should contact your OW caseworker for details. ▪ If you are receiving ODSP, you may qualify for a one- time payment of $100 or $200. You should contact your ODSP caseworker for details. ▪ If you are not receiving OW or ODSP, you may be eligible for funds directly from the Ontario Emergency Assistance Program. You can apply online at Ontario.ca/community. A PROJECT OF
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