Who can apply

If you are able to work, you must be actively looking for work to be eligible to receive the CESB. If you still cannot find work due to COVID-19, you can re-apply for each CESB eligibility period that you are eligible for.

You cannot apply for the CESB if you already applied for the CERB or EI

If you have already applied, or are receiving support from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI) you are not eligible to apply for the CESB.

Eligibility

Check these boxes to see if you are eligible for the CESB:

You did not apply, receive, nor qualify, for the CERB or EI benefits for the same eligibility period
You are one of the following:
- Canadian citizen
- registered Indian
- permanent resident
- protected person
  
  Who is considered a protected person
  
  An individual who is recognized by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a person in need of protection.
You are studying in Canada or abroad
One of the following applies:
- you are enrolled in a post-secondary educational program (at least 12 weeks in duration) that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
  Recognized post-secondary educational institutions
  - courses taken at a university or college level, or secondary level vocational training in Quebec
  - educational institutions listed on:
    - Master List of designated educational institutions
    - Master List of certified educational institutions
    - Quebec’s directory of educational institutions and programs (universities, colleges, and secondary level vocational training)
  - Indigenous institutions recognized by their province
- you completed or ended your post-secondary studies in December 2019 or later
- you completed or expect to complete high school, or received, or expect to receive your high school equivalency in 2020, and have applied for a post-secondary educational program that starts before February 1, 2021
One of the following applies:
- you are unable to work due to COVID-19
- you are looking for, but cannot find work due to COVID-19
- you are currently working during the COVID-19 pandemic, but your income from employment and self-employment has been $1,000 or less (before taxes) during the 4-week period you are applying for
  - Current eligibility period: May 10 to June 6, 2020
  - Next eligibility period: June 7 to July 4, 2020

Eligibility conditions for the benefit top-up

If you meet all of the conditions above, you may also be eligible for an extra $750 for each 4-week period.

Additional support is available, if at least one of the following applies:
- you have a disability as defined for this benefit
  
  What is considered a disability
  
  Any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.
- you have at least one child under the age of 12 or other dependants
  Who can be claimed as a dependant
  - a child (adopted child, stepchild, or foster child) who is under 12 years old and is completely dependent on the student, student’s spouse, or common-law partner for support, care, and upbringing
  - a person with a disability who is completely dependent on the student, student’s spouse, or common-law partner for support, care, and upbringing

Verifying your eligibility

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will verify your eligibility to receive the CESB after you have applied. The CRA may ask you to provide supporting documents to confirm your eligibility at a later date. If we find that you are not eligible, we will contact you to make arrangements to repay any amounts you may owe.

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Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

Who can apply

You cannot apply for the CESB if you already applied for the CERB or EI

Eligibility

Eligibility conditions for the benefit top-up

Verifying your eligibility

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