Public Advisory: Information for Income Support Clients Regarding the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

  • Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

April 9, 2020

Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
April 9, 2020

Public Advisory: Information for Income Support Clients Regarding the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour has received inquiries from a number of income support clients regarding eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

The CERB supports Canadians by providing financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. However, the Provincial Income Support Program provides financial benefits and other services to eligible low income people with no other means of support to assist in meeting daily living expenses.

While some Income Support clients may qualify for the CERB because they had employment earnings in the last year; others will not qualify. It is important to note, individuals cannot receive both provincial Income Support and the CERB at the same time. Should Income Support clients receive the CERB, they will no longer qualify for Income Support, and benefits will be suspended immediately. An overpayment will be set up on Income Support files where there is an overlap in payments from the CERB.

When Income Support benefits are suspended, individuals will need to apply for prescription drug coverage through Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Plan (NLPDP) by calling 1-888-859-3535 or going online.

More information can be found in the backgrounder below.

According to information provided by the Government of Canada, to be eligible for the CERB, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You reside in Canada
  • You are 15 years old or more when you apply
  • For your first CERB application:
    • You have stopped or will stop working due to reasons related to COVID-19
    • For at least 14 days in a row for the period you are applying for, you will not receive:
      • Employment income
      • Self-employment income
      • Provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave
    • For your subsequent CERB applications:
      • You continue to not work due to reasons related to COVID-19
      • For the four week period you are applying for, you will not receive:
        • Employment income;
        • Self-employment income; or
        • Provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave.
      • You have not quit your job voluntarily
      • You did not apply for, nor receive, CERB or EI benefits from Service Canada for the same eligibility period
      • You earned a minimum of $5,000 income in the last 12 months or in 2019 from one or more of the following sources:
        • Employment income
        • Self-employment income
        • Provincial or federal benefits related to maternity or paternity leave

For more information on how CERB income will impact Income Support benefits, or to report CERB income immediately, clients should contact the department by calling toll-free 1-877-729-7888 (Eastern Region) or 1-866-417-4753 (Western Region). Inquiries can also be emailed to aesl@gov.nl.ca.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

For all other general inquiries related to government services, please call 1-833-771-0696 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday or email covid19info@gov.nl.ca.

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Media contact
Tansy Mundon
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-0753, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER

 Questions and Answers on Income Support and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

If I receive income support benefits but I was not employed during the last 12 months, am I eligible to receive the CERB?
No. CERB is only available to individuals who have at least $5,000 employment income in 2019 or in the last 12 months.

If I apply for the CERB and get approved, will I still receive income support benefits?
No. You are required to report CERB income and your Income Support benefits will be suspended immediately.

If I am an income support client and I am approved for CERB will I still keep my provincial drug card?
You will no longer be eligible to receive the Foundation Plan 100 percent prescription drug coverage, which is only available to Income Support recipients. You can apply to NLPDP for the Access Plan. 

If I receive the CERB and income support payments, will my Income Support benefits be clawed back?
Yes. CERB income will be clawed back from any Income Support payments dollar-for-dollar where there are overlapping payments.

2020 04 09 4:00 pm