News and Events

Income Supports for Migrants in Canada

Information for workers who have lost income due to Covid-19 - English, Chinese, Spanish

Saturday, April 11, 2020

HAVE YOU LOST WORK OR INCOME BECAUSE OF COVID-19? All non-permanent residents with a valid Social Insurance Number can get money through the Federal government’s emergency fund (CERB). You do not need to have filed taxes or submit any documents.

Español English Chinese

HAVE YOU LOST WORK OR INCOME BECAUSE OF COVID-19? YOU CAN GET INCOME SUPPORT!

All non-permanent residents with a valid Social Insurance Number can get money through the Federal government’s emergency fund (CERB). You do not need to have filed taxes in previous years and you will not be asked to submit any documents.

This information is accurate as of April 8. Things are changing constantly. Check back here regularly for updates. 

How to apply:

ONLINE 

(if you already have “MyAccount” or “MyServiceCanada”)

  1. Go to: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/apply-for-cerb-with-cra.html
  2. You will be asked if you were self-employed or an employee. If you click “employee” then you will be asked if you were full time or part time. These questions will not disqualify you, they simply direct you to either the EI or CRA pathway for applying. You will then be asked to sign into your MyAccount / MyService Canada.
  3. Once you have signed in, you will see the list of requirements to qualify. Click “I confirm that I meet the requirements set out above…”. You will not need to provide any documents. The minimum $5000 income can be from within or outside Canada.
  4. If you were an employee, you will then be asked questions about your past employment, but you will not be asked for any documents.

BY PHONE 

If you have filed taxes in the past:

  1. Call 1-800-959-2041 or 1-800-959-2019
  2. You will be asked for your SIN, Temporary Tax Number or Individual Tax Number.

If you have never filed taxes:

  1. Call 1-800-959-8281
  2. You will be asked for your SIN, Temporary Tax Number or Individual Tax Number.

Whether you apply online or by phone, you will not need to submit documents to prove you meet the requirements to get money. The minimum $5000 income can be from within or outside Canada.

Are you having problems applying? We can help. Fill out the form below to tell us what happened and we will contact you soon. All information is confidential. 

All of us deserve support during this time of crisis, regardless of immigration status. We are fighting to ensure no one gets left behind! Join us: http://migrantrights.ca/covid19/

Current News