As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of you may have already applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), or have realized that you are not eligible for it. But that may no longer be the case!
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government is expanding the eligibility requirements to include part-time, contract and seasonal workers. This change would include freelance hairstylists, barbers and other beauty professionals that didn’t work on a full-time basis.
Now, individuals who’ve run out employment insurance since January 1st or workers that make less than $1,000 a month due to reduced work hours would qualify.
This news comes after the federal government received criticism that the original criteria for CERB excluded students and individuals working reduced hours.
“Any time a program can be changed to make sure the help is getting to those who need it, we obviously support that,” Trudeau said during his daily news conference on Wednesday.
Also, to help assist essential workers that earn less than $2,500 a month, Trudeau pledged that the federal government will be working with provinces and territories to boost their pay.
There are even more changes in the works, as Trudeau has also hinted that they will be further assisting post-secondary students, as well as businesses that are concerned about the cost of commercial rent.
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