Income Support

Last Updated: April 30, 2020

For a translated version of this information, please see: COVIDhelpTO

Employment Insurance

Did you pay into EI, and have worked at least 700 hours in the last 52 weeks?

[YES] I have been laid off due to COVID-19 related work closures

Employment Insurance (EI)

Please Note:

If you have already applied for EI Regular benefits but are not yet receiving benefits, you will automatically be assessed for the CERB.

Step 1: Ask your employer for a RECORD OF EMPLOYMENT (ROE). They will either give you a paper copy or send an electronic copy directly to Service Canada.

Step 2: Apply as soon as possible (even if you don’t have your ROE yet).

Apply Online

If you can’t apply online, call 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)*

*This line is overloaded right now

Important to know:

March 27: SERVICE CANADA OFFICES ARE NOW CLOSED. We are waiting to hear how the government will help people without a computer and internet.
You can prove your identity to the government faster online if you use online banking through your bank or credit union.
As of April 6, there will just be one application site for EI and CERB. you won’t have to pick between them.

More Information

[YES] I am unable to work because I am ill or in self-quarantine

EI Sickness Benefits

Benefits are available. Here’s how to apply:

Step 1: Ask your employer for a RECORD OF EMPLOYMENT (ROE). They will either give you a paper copy or send an electronic copy directly to Service Canada.

Step 2: Apply as soon as possible (even if you don’t have your ROE yet)

Apply Online

If you can’t apply online, call 1-833-381-2725*

*This line is overloaded right now.

Important to know:

You DO NOT need a doctor’s note for COVID-19.
March 27: SERVICE CANADA OFFICES ARE NOW CLOSED. We are waiting to hear how the government will help people without a computer and internet.
You can prove your identity to the government faster online if you use online banking through your bank or credit union.
As of April 6, there will just be one application site for EI sickness and CERB. you won’t have to pick between them.

More Information

[YES] I am unable to work because I am caring for someone who is critically ill

EI Caregiver Benefits

Step 1: Ask your employer for a RECORD OF EMPLOYMENT (ROE). They will either give you a paper copy or send an electronic copy directly to Service Canada.

Step 2: Apply as soon as possible (even if you don’t have your ROE yet)

Apply Online

If you can’t apply online, call 1-833-381-2725*

*This line is overloaded right now

Important to know:

March 27: SERVICE CANADA OFFICES ARE NOW CLOSED. We are waiting to hear how the government will help people without a computer and internet.
You can prove your identity to the government faster online if you use online banking through your bank or credit union.

What you could receive:

Between 15 and 35 weeks of payments (directly into your bank account) worth up to 55% of your usual pay or $573 per week, whichever is less.

More Information

[NO] I have been laid off due to COVID-19 related work closures

Provincial

You can apply for the Emergency Assistance Program through Ontario Works, which is for those who do not have financial resources to meet basic living expenses. Apply here.

Federal

Beginning in April you will be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Who is covered?

Those who have lost their job(s).
Those who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
Parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of closures.
Wage-earners, contract workers, and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income.
You must also have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the past 12 months (maternity, parental, or adoptions benefits count) and you must have 14 days in a row of no income in each 4-week period of the CERB.

Step 1: Get ready to apply

If you can apply online (computer or mobile phone) go to and make sure you have a

MyAccount with the Canada Revenue Agency.

If you can’t apply online, there will be a dedicated 1-800 number you can call. Keep listening to the news or, in early April, call 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).

As of March 27, Service Canada offices are closed. We are waiting to hear how the government will help people without a computer and internet.

Important to know:

Due to an anticipated high volume of requests, the government is requesting you enroll in the CERB based on your birthday:

April 6th: January, February and March birthdays

April 7th: April, May and June birthdays

April 8th: July, August and September birthdays

April 9th: October, November and December birthdays

The date you apply will not impact when you receive CERB funds.

There is no need to re-apply for CERB if you applied for EI after March 15th. You will be automatically enrolled on April 6th.
You DO NOT need a doctor’s note for COVID-19.
By law, you are eligible if you had at least $5,000 in income from work (employment or self-employment), EI maternity or parental benefits or Quebec’s parental benefits program QPIP in the last year; AND you have had no income from employment, self-employment, any EI benefit or QPIP for at least 14 days in a row.
You can prove your identity to the government faster online if you use online banking through your bank or credit union.

[NO] I am unable to work because I am ill or in self-quarantine

Beginning in April you will be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Who is covered?

Those who have lost their job(s).
Those who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
Parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of closures.
Wage-earners, contract workers, and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income.
You must also have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the past 12 months (maternity, parental, or adoptions benefits count) and you must have 14 days in a row of no income in each 4-week period of the CERB.

Step 1: Get ready to apply

If you can apply online (computer or mobile phone) go to and make sure you have a

MyAccount with the Canada Revenue Agency.

If you can’t apply online, there will be a dedicated 1-800 number you can call. Keep listening to the news or, in early April, call 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).

As of March 27, Service Canada offices are closed. We are waiting to hear how the government will help people without a computer and internet.

Important to know:

Due to an anticipated high volume of requests, the government is requesting you enroll in the CERB based on your birthday:

April 6th: January, February and March birthdays

April 7th: April, May and June birthdays

April 8th: July, August and September birthdays

April 9th: October, November and December birthdays

The date you apply will not impact when you receive CERB funds.

There is no need to re-apply for CERB if you applied for EI after March 15th. You will be automatically enrolled on April 6th.
You DO NOT need a doctor’s note for COVID-19.
By law, you are eligible if you had at least $5,000 in income from work (employment or self-employment), EI maternity or parental benefits or Quebec’s parental benefits program QPIP in the last year; AND you have had no income from employment, self-employment, any EI benefit or QPIP for at least 14 days in a row.
You can prove your identity to the government faster online if you use online banking through your bank or credit union.

[NO] I am unable to work because I am caring for someone who is critically ill

Federal

Beginning in April you will be able to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Who is covered?

Those who have lost their job(s).
Those who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
Parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of closures.
Wage-earners, contract workers, and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income.
You must also have earned at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the past 12 months (maternity, parental, or adoptions benefits count) and you must have 14 days in a row of no income in each 4-week period of the CERB.

Step 1: Get ready to apply

If you can apply online (computer or mobile phone) go to and make sure you have a

MyAccount with the Canada Revenue Agency.

If you can’t apply online, there will be a dedicated 1-800 number you can call. Keep listening to the news or, in early April, call 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).

As of March 27, Service Canada offices are closed. We are waiting to hear how the government will help people without a computer and internet.

Important to know:

Due to an anticipated high volume of requests, the government is requesting you enroll in the CERB based on your birthday:

April 6th: January, February and March birthdays

April 7th: April, May and June birthdays

April 8th: July, August and September birthdays

April 9th: October, November and December birthdays

The date you apply will not impact when you receive CERB funds.

There is no need to re-apply for CERB if you applied for EI after March 15th. You will be automatically enrolled on April 6th.
You DO NOT need a doctor’s note for COVID-19.
By law, you are eligible if you had at least $5,000 in income from work (employment or self-employment), EI maternity or parental benefits or Quebec’s parental benefits program QPIP in the last year; AND you have had no income from employment, self-employment, any EI benefit or QPIP for at least 14 days in a row.
You can prove your identity to the government faster online if you use online banking through your bank or credit union.

Employment Insurance

[YES] I have been laid off due to COVID-19 related work closures

[YES] I am unable to work because I am ill or in self-quarantine

[YES] I am unable to work because I am caring for someone who is critically ill

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