Canada Recovery Sickness Benefits (CRSB) – FAQ
(last update: November 6th, 2020)
Eligibility
Who is eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit will be available to residents in Canada who are present in Canada for the two weeks in which they are applying for the Benefit and:
- Was at least 15 years of age on the first day of the period;
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- Have a total income of at least $5,000 for 2019, 2020, or in the 12-month period preceding the day on which they make their first application for this benefit, from one or more of the following sources:
- Employment income;
- Self-employment income; or
- Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits.
- Was unable to work for at least 50% of the time they would have otherwise worked or devoted to their work because:
- They had or might have had COVID-19;
- They self-isolated on the advice of their employer, a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government, or public health authority for any reason related to COVID-19; or
- They have an underlying condition that in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
- Was not in receipt of paid leave from an employer; and
- Was not in receipt of the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, any Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits.
Individuals are not required to have a medical certificate to qualify for the benefit.
For how many weeks can I receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is available for a maximum of two weeks within the period from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.
The Benefit may be taken in two one-week periods.
Do I have to use up any other sick leave I have before I can apply for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
No.
You may apply for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit even if you have access to other paid sick leave through your employer, the Employment Insurance program, private insurance or another source.
However, you may not claim the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit for the same period in which you are receiving any EI benefits or another form of paid leave.
Why is the Sickness benefit restricted only to COVID-related sick leave?
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is available to ensure that eligible workers who are unable to work because they are sick, under quarantine, must self-isolate due to COVID-19 or are more susceptible to COVID-19 due to an underlying condition, have access to up to two weeks of income support so that they can take time off from work and avoid putting themselves or others in the community at risk. This delivers on the Government of Canada’s commitment as part of the Safe Restart Agreement with provinces and territories.
In addition to the availability of the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, through temporary changes to the Employment Insurance program, workers will require only 120 hours of insurable employment to qualify for EI sickness benefits between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. If eligible, these benefits can be used for illnesses including but not limited to COVID-19.
People can get infected with COVID more than once – can I reapply for another two weeks if I get COVID a second time?
No.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is available for up to two weeks, which may be taken in two one-week periods between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
If I choose to visit someone living elsewhere in Canada and/or abroad and am then required to quarantine upon my return as mandated by the province/territory, am I eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
Yes.
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is available to eligible workers who are unable to work because they are sick, under quarantine or must self-isolate due to COVID-19 or for people who have been determined to be more susceptible to COVID-19 due to an underlying condition.
Am I eligible for the Benefit if I have to self-isolate but am able to work from home?
No.
To be eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, you must have a minimum 50% reduction in scheduled work per week as a result of illness and/or quarantine related to COVID-19.
If you are able to work from home for more than 50% of your scheduled work per week you will not be eligible.
Can I receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit if I choose to stay home to avoid catching COVID-19 but was not advised to do so by a medical professional?
No.
You will be eligible for up to two weeks of the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit if you are either sick with COVID-19, have been directed to self-quarantine by your employer, a medical practitioner, a nurse practitioner, a person in authority, a government or a public health authority for reasons related to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions that in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority would make you more susceptible to COVID-19
If I am advised by person in authority to stay home to avoid catching COVID-19, can I receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
Yes.
You will be eligible for up to two weeks of the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit if you are either sick with COVID-19, have been directed to self-quarantine by your employer, a medical practitioner, a nurse practitioner, a person in authority, a government or a public health authority for reasons related to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions that in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority would make you more susceptible to COVID-19
Access
Am I required to provide a doctor’s note to access the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
No.
You are not required to have a medical certificate to qualify for the benefit, as long as you meet all eligibility criteria.
If I work shift work, how do I calculate the 50% reduction in my work week?
To qualify for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, you must be unable to work at least 50% of their normal work schedule because you are sick, quarantined or have been directed to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
For example, if you normally work 35 hours per week, you would be eligible if you can only work 17.5 or fewer hours.
Why do I have to use a full week’s worth of Benefit if I am only required to isolate myself for two or three days, for example while waiting for test results?
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is a temporary income support program to enable workers to stay home if they are unable to work because they are sick or potentially exposed to COVID-19 or at greater risk if exposed to COVID-19. The Government has put the emphasis on providing quick and direct access, which has required a simplified approach to delivery of the benefit. As a result, it is not possible to provide the benefit for periods of less than a week.
If I am sick for reasons related to COVID-19, should I apply for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit or Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness benefits?
If you are sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19 and are eligible for both Employment Insurance sickness benefits and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, you can choose which benefit you want to claim.
However, you can’t get both EI sickness benefits and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit for the same period.
(Source: Canada.ca)
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