Questions and comments form
Answers to top questions
Do I qualify for the simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program
We announced temporary changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program to better support Canadians looking for work.
As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:
- were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
- received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
- stopped working through no fault of your own
- have not quit your job voluntarily
- are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
- are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)
If you become eligible for EI benefits on or after September 27, you will receive a minimum benefit rate of $500 per week.
If you do not become eligible for EI, you may be eligible for the proposed new benefits:
Do I qualify for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)?
OpenThe CRB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Do I qualify for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)?
OpenThe CRSB provides $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who:
- Are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19
- Are self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19
- have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
Do I qualify for the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB?)
OpenThe CRCB provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers:
- unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19
- because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.
Most requested
- Employment Insurance (EI) and other support
- Financial support during COVID-19
- Contact your program about your specific case or file
- Fake text messages and calls
For specific questions about your file or application
Follow up with the program or department.
See all Government of Canada contacts
For help with accounts
Programs and services delivered by the provincial and territorial governments
Healthcare, education and other vital services
Send a question or comment
Files and applications
Case specific enquiries about your file or application must be directed to the program at the relevant Government of Canada contacts.
Service hours
Emails are answered from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time).
Wait time
![](/web/20210920200950im_/https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/canada/test/time.png)
![](/web/20210920200950im_/https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/canada/test/time.png)
Our delay to answer is approximately 3 days.
Please do not include sensitive personal information in the questions/comments box, such as your social insurance number, personal finance data and medical or work history.
Privacy notice
In order to respond to your enquiry, the Government of Canada will need to collect a limited amount of information (such as your email address).
The information you provide is collected and stored in the Personal Information Bank entitled Public Communications (PSU 914). It may also be used for policy analysis, research and/or evaluation purposes. Your personal information is collected and administered under the authority of the Privacy Act and other applicable laws. You have the right to access your personal information. For more information on this, see Information about programs and information holdings .
What COVID-19 information do you need?
- Vaccines
- Travel
- Health and safety
- Prevention
- Risks and spread
- Difference between quarantine vs isolate
- Overview of the risks of getting COVID-19
- Surface contamination
- How can I go out safely during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Which people are at risk of severe outcomes?
- Pregnancy and risks related to COVID-19
- Can my pet or other animals get sick from this virus?
- How do I care for a person with COVID-19 at home?
- Symptoms and treatment
- What can I do to care for my mental and physical health?
- Drug and medical device supply monitoring
- For clinical trial sponsors
- Income support
- Additional economic and financial support
- Individuals
- Support for businesses
- Avoiding layoffs, rehiring employees and creating new jobs
- Financial support, loans and access to credit
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) interest-free loans
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
- Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
- Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
- Mid-Market Financing Program
- Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program
- Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
- Additional support by sector
- Provincial and territorial support
- Self-employed individuals
- Indigenous businesses
- Support for sectors
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Aquaculture and fisheries
- Cultural, heritage and sport
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Organizations helping Canadians
- Vulnerable populations
- Indigenous organizations and communities
- About COVID-19
- E-mail updates on COVID-19
- Current confirmed number of COVID-19 cases in Canada
- More details about the cases reported in Canada
- How does it spread?
- Where can I get information specific to my province or territory?
- How governments are working together
- Resources for parents and children
- Resources for youth, students and young adults
- Resources for seniors and their caregivers
- Resources for Indigenous communities
- People with disabilities
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: