Eligibility for the Caregiver Benefit Ontario

*Please note that Seasons Retirement does not have any afflation with this program. Please call 1-888-910-1999 or visit the government of Ontario website for enquiries or more details.

Growing older can pose particular challenges for individuals and their caregivers, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only added to some of the stresses, including financially.

A significant number of people do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI). This is where the caregiver benefit Ontario, known as the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), comes into play. The CRCB was introduced to offer monetary help to employed Canadians who cannot work at a particular period for specific reasons.

The program, organized by the Canadian government, is intended to provide financial support for the caregivers of children, vulnerable individuals, and older adults to ensure their proper care.

Suppose you do not have eligibility for CRCB. In that case, Seasons Retirement Communities can provide a safe and vibrant living environment for an older loved one while allowing their caregiver to continue working.

Seasons offers various living and care arrangements in Ontario, including independent living, independent supportive living, assisted living, and memory care.

That said, let us discuss everything you need to know about the Canada Recovery Caregiving benefit and the criteria to check off for CRCB eligibility.

What is Caregiver Recovery Caregiving Benefit?

To help those who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government implemented the Caregiver Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB). It is one of three measures introduced to assist Canadians since the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) ended.

This caregiver benefit in Ontario aims to provide financial support for employed and self-employed individuals who cannot work because they care for a loved one or look after a child below 12 years of age. This scheme also helps individuals who have been affected by COVID-19 in any way. The CRCB is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Although this program was expected to end by November 20, 2021, the eligibility for CRCB has been extended by another 28 weeks and an additional two weeks to ensure that it will run till the New Year, at the very least.

Who Can Apply for CRCB?

Families eligible for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit are guaranteed to receive $500 every week. After taxes have been deducted, these households will be left with $450. If you are not entitled to receive this benefit, Seasons Retirement Communities can provide care for your loved ones, affording you enough time to return to work.

To apply for CRCB, Canadians in Ontario must have a job before their first application period. Also, they are mandated to meet the following eligibility criteria for the one-week period they are applying for:

1. At least 50% of your scheduled daily work cannot be completed due to your commitments to caring for a loved one or family member.
2. You are looking after a family member who requires special care or a child below 12 years of age because:

• Their care home, school, daycare program is unavailable or shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The services that provide care are unavailable due to the COVID-19 virus.
• This individual under your supervised care is a carrier or shows symptoms of COVID-19, is vulnerable to the virus mentioned above due to underlying health challenges, or is self-isolating due to the coronavirus.

3. You have residency in Canada.
4. You were located in Canada at the time of the CRCB application.
5. You possess an authentic Social Insurance Number (SIN).
6. You are 15 years of age or older.
7. You did not submit any applications or receive any of these benefits at the same time:

• Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).
• Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits.
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB).
• Short-term Disability Benefits.

8. No other person in your family is applying for the same benefit for the week.
9. You are not collecting wages from your employer during your leave for the same period.
10. You are not self-isolating after international travel.
11. You have received earnings of at least $5,000 in 2019, 2020, or in the 12 months before the day of your CRCB application. And that the payment is from any of these sources:

• Net self-employment income – that is, after subtracting expenses.
• Maternity and parental benefits from EI or other uses.
• Total or gross employment income.

To be eligible for the caregiver benefit in Ontario, you must meet all of the conditions listed above.

How Eligibility Period Works

Every single CRCB eligibility period lasts for one week. After this period elapses, your benefit will not be renewed automatically. If you still need financial support after the first, you must continue applying for each week separately. You can use CRCB for up to 60 days after the previous benefit expires.

Conclusion

Giving special attention to our children, loved ones, and other family members will take a large portion of your time. You may need to take a leave from your workplace, and without wages from your employer, you will need the caregiver benefit in Ontario for financial support.

If the older adults in your family have special care needs, you do not need to take a break from your job. At Seasons Retirement Communities, we have comfortable accommodations and highly trained and professional staff who will look after your loved ones and ensure proper care.