International Students: Canada Emergency Benefits Eligibility

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of students worldwide, and international students in Canada are no exception. While the Canadian government has announced financial support for students, it is unclear whether international students are eligible for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). Some sources suggest that international students may be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) if they meet certain requirements, such as residing in Canada, having a valid Social Insurance Number, and earning a minimum income. However, other sources indicate that international students do not qualify for the CERB due to the income criteria. The Canadian government has implemented additional measures to support students, including the Canada Student Service Grant, which provides financial assistance and work opportunities for students during the pandemic. As the situation evolves, it is essential for international students in Canada to stay informed about their eligibility for emergency benefits and seek support from relevant institutions and platforms.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for International Students

International students' eligibility for Canada's Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

International students in Canada have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay rent and other expenses. In response, the Canadian government has made international students eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) if they meet certain requirements.

CERB was created to support those without an income as a result of the pandemic. It provides a temporary income of $500 a week for up to 16 weeks for those who have stopped working due to COVID-19. The benefit is available to both Canadian citizens and non-citizens, including temporary foreign workers and international students.

To be eligible for CERB, international students must reside in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number. They must also meet the other eligibility requirements, which include having earned a minimum of $5,000 in income within the last 12 months or in 2019. Additionally, they must have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19 and not have voluntarily quit their job.

The availability of CERB for international students has raised concerns for some graduating students looking for summer work, who will not qualify for the benefit. However, the Canadian government has announced other financial support measures for students, such as the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which provides $1,250 to $1,750 per month from May to August. The government has also introduced the Canada Student Service Grant, which will help students gain work experience and skills while volunteering to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

CERB requirements: $5000 income in 2019 or preceding 12 months

International students in Canada are eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) if they meet the requirements. One of the requirements of the CERB is that an individual must have earned at least $5,000 from employment or self-employment in 2019 or in the 12 months preceding the application date.

There has been some debate about whether this $5,000 income refers to gross income or net income after expenses. Initially, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) was uncertain about the answer, but later stated that it refers to net income after expenses. This interpretation has been contested by some, who argue that the CERB Act is separate from the tax act, and that "income" in the tax act is defined as profit, or net income. They further argue that the CERB legislation does not mention any expenses to be deducted, and that it is unlikely that Parliament intended income to be net of expenses without providing any guidance on what those expenses might be.

Finance minister Bill Morneau, in his testimony before the Senate in March 2020, referred to "$5,000 in revenue" when commenting on the CERB requirements, which suggests gross income rather than net income. Additionally, the Interpretation Act, which governs the interpretation of federal laws in Canada, states that laws should be given a "fair, large and liberal construction and interpretation" to ensure they meet their objectives.

It is important to note that the CERB is not the only form of financial support available to international students in Canada. The government and educational institutions have expressed their commitment to providing necessary support to international students, including emergency financial assistance, housing support, technical support, and mental well-being resources.

CERB requirements: stopped working due to COVID-19

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians directly affected by COVID-19. To be eligible for the CERB, you must have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19 and met the other requirements for the benefit. This includes international students who were working part-time during the school year but lost their job due to the pandemic.

It is important to note that the CERB requirement of "stopping work" due to COVID-19 does not differentiate between direct and indirect impacts. This means that if your employment was suddenly curtailed or ended because of the pandemic, you may be eligible for CERB. For example, if you were working on a project that ceased due to COVID-19-related reasons, you may still qualify for CERB even if the impact was indirect. However, it is essential to provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate the connection between the lost funding or project cessation and COVID-19.

To be eligible for CERB, you must also meet specific income requirements. You must not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period of your claim. Additionally, you must have had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months preceding your application.

It is worth noting that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been strict in reviewing applications and requiring sufficient documentation to support claims. In one case, an applicant, T.A., was deemed ineligible for CERB by the CRA and the Federal Court upheld this decision due to insufficient evidence of a COVID-19-related work stoppage. Therefore, it is essential to provide clear and comprehensive documentation when applying for CERB to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.

Canada's financial support for students during the pandemic

Canada has implemented several measures to financially support students during the COVID-19 pandemic, including international students. The federal government announced financial aid for post-secondary students (current or those who registered for the fall session) and recent graduates (December 2019) who were ineligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Eligible students could receive $1,250 per month, or $1,750 if they had dependants or disabilities. The Canada Student Loans Program was also enhanced, with the maximum weekly amount raised from $210 to $350. Eligibility for student financial assistance was broadened by removing the expected student and spouse contributions for 2020-21.

The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) was introduced to provide income support to those not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI). International students could receive between $540 and $900 for up to 54 weeks. Unemployed international students could also apply for financial aid. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was made available to international students who met certain requirements and had stopped working due to COVID-19.

Canada also supported students by maintaining the eligibility criteria for post-graduation work permits. Students who were forced to complete more than 50% of their program online, reduce their studies to part-time, or take a break from their studies, remained eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Students beginning a new study program in the spring, summer, or fall semesters of 2020, could start their classes online from abroad without affecting their eligibility, provided they completed at least 50% of their program in Canada. Until August 31, 2020, international students were permitted to work more than 20 hours per week off-campus during their academic session if employed in an essential service.

Additionally, international students with a valid study permit or approved for one before March 18, 2020, were exempt from travel restrictions. They could enter Canada if their travel was essential and they had a 14-day quarantine plan. Students in Canada who were forced to study online, reduce their studies, or take a break due to pandemic restrictions, were allowed to continue working on- or off-campus if their study permit allowed. Canada also allowed international students to submit incomplete visa applications with a letter explaining their inability to collect documents due to COVID-19 limitations.

Canada's Student Service Grant

International students in Canada have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the Canadian government has provided various forms of support, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Student Service Grant.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit was created to support those without an income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides eligible applicants with a temporary income of $500 per week for up to 16 weeks. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Reside in Canada
• Be at least 15 years old
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number
• Have earned a minimum income of $5,000 in the last 12 months or the 2019 calendar year
• Have stopped working due to reasons related to COVID-19, illness, or circumstances beyond their control

International students in Canada are eligible for the CERB if they meet the above requirements.

Canada Student Service Grant

The Canada Student Service Grant was announced as part of the Canadian government's financial support measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant aims to help students gain valuable work experience and skills while contributing to their communities. The grant includes:

• A payment of between $1,000 and $5,000 for students who volunteer over the summer to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, depending on the hours worked
• Doubling the Canada Student Grants for eligible full-time students, up to $6,000, and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-2021
• Doubling the Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents
• Broadening eligibility for student financial assistance by removing the expected student's and spouse's contributions in 2020-2021, recognizing the financial challenges faced by many families

These measures are in addition to other initiatives, such as a six-month, interest-free moratorium on student loan repayments and the bolstering of the Canada Summer Jobs program to encourage employers to hire young workers for essential jobs.

Frequently asked questions