Question Period Note: Introduction of a new Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

With the wind down of the CERB, what income supports are available to workers who are unable to work because they have to care for a child or family member unable to attend school, day programs, or another facility?

• The Government of Canada has invested $2 billion to help provinces and territories safely reopen classrooms.
• While schools, daycares and day program facilities are working to reopen safely, we know that closures can and will happen.
• The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit would help Canadians who must stay home to provide care to a young child or a family member who requires supervision when the school or facility is closed due to COVID-19 or the child or family member cannot attend due to COVID-19.
• This benefit would provide up to 26 weeks of support per household at $500 per week.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit will be available to:

• Residents in Canada who are at least 15 years of age and have a valid Social Insurance Number;

• Workers employed or self-employed at the time of the application;

• Workers had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020 or in the 12-month period prior to their first application for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit;

• Have missed a minimum of 50% of their scheduled work in the week for which they claim the benefit, because they had to care for a child under the age of 12 or another family member who requires supervised care because:
• their school, daycare, day program, or facility that they normally attend is unavailable, closed or open only certain times or for certain individuals; or
• the care services or the person who usually cares for the child or family member is not available due to COVID-19; or
• they are sick and/or have been directed to self-isolate or quarantine for reasons related to COVID-19; or
• they are at high risk of serious health complications if they contracted COVID-19.

Workers are not eligible if they are in receipt of the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or any EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits in respect of the same week.

Workers are not eligible if they have not, in respect of the same week, been granted paid leave or have been paid under a plan that provides for payment for the care or support to another person.

Only one individual per household may apply for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit at any time.

Workers who choose not to send their children or other dependents to school, daycare or care facilities while those are opened would not qualify.

The amount of the benefit is $500 per week for up to 26 weeks. The benefit will paid in arrears and will be taxable. Tax will be withheld at the source.

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