Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB) – 28 Week Extension

On October 21, 2021 the Government announced the extension of the eligibility of the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB) by an additional 28 weeks as well as an additional two weeks to the maximum benefit period bringing it to a total of 44 weeks. The increase in the maximum number of benefit periods would begin after the week of November 20th, 2021.

The CRCB provides a $500 weekly taxable benefit per household for workers who miss at least 50% of their normal time at work during a week to care for someone for reasons related to COVID-19.

Eligible workers must have earned at least $5,000 in any of 2019, 2020, or the span of 12 months before they apply for the CRCB. They are ineligible for the CRCB if they are receiving certain other benefits (for example, the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, Employment Insurance). This program, after the extension, sunsets on May 7, 2022.