Today will be the first opportunity for you to access the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit(CREB).  This fund was enabled by the Trudeau government to help out people who may be falling between the cracks when it comes to financial support during the COVID -19 pandemic.  The CERB would provide you with $500 per week for 16 weeks if you qualify.  There is a large list of criteria that must be met that include workers must be at least 15 years of age, and have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job, or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits.

Some of the other requirements include having an income of at least $5,000 in 2019, or in the 12 months before April 6.  This is really a benefit to people that expect to be without employment for at least 14 days in the initial four-week period and have no other source of income, and benefits.

Starting on Monday, April 6, people can apply based on their when their birthday is said Trudeau, "If you're born in January, February or March, you can go to canada.ca and apply online. If you can't apply online, don't worry, you can call 1-800-959-2041.  Since it opened Monday morning, 240,000 people have already successfully applied."

Since there will be a large need for the funding there are some guidelines for when you may apply based on your birth month.  April 6 will allow applicants whose birth month falls into January, February, and March.  April 7 will allow April, May June and April 8 will grant access to July, August, and September.  The final three months of October, November, and December will be on April 9.  Friday Saturday and Sunday will be open for anyone that may have missed their assigned day. 

More details about how, and where to apply can be found here.