Canadians living in regions affected by a lockdown or capacity restrictions can now access the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB). This assistance program was presented in October 2021 and entered into force on December 17, 2021.
The CWLB provides temporary income support for employees and the self-employed who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown. The CWLB is only available when your region is designated by a lockdown order related to COVID-19.
If you qualify for the CWLB, you can receive $300 ($270 after tax deductions) for each one-week period. You can apply for weeks your region is eligible for between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022.
How to apply?
You can apply online or by phone, but the easiest way to do so is online, using the “CRA My Account”. To do this, you can use the online Get ready to apply tool to prepare by answering the questions submitted.
After ensuring you are well prepared, please note that you must apply separately for each one-week period you are eligible for, through the How to apply page.
Are you eligible?
Before reapplying, make sure you meet all of the eligibility criteria to continue receiving the benefit:
- Having earned at least $5,000 in 2020, 2021 or in the 12 months preceding the date of application;
- Having filed a tax return for 2020;
- Having worked or provided a service in a designated lockdown region;
- Having suffered one of the following consequences, namely a loss of employment, prevention from carrying out one’s contracts as a self-employed worker, an average weekly drop in income of at least 50% compared to the previous year, caused by living in a designated lockdown region.
Please note that you must meet all the requirements for each one-week period. For the complete list of eligibility criteria, refer to the Who can apply page.
What about Indigenous community businesses?
The Government of Canada also continues to provide non-repayable financial contributions to help support the operating costs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis community or group-owned businesses, including micro-businesses, whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund aims to support businesses that are not eligible for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures. Please note that there is no deadline for funding applications, but they are however accepted on a rolling basis until the fund is fully depleted.
For more information and to apply, go to the Indigenous Community Business Fund page.
For more information about the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, visit the dedicated website.
For questions related to benefits, you can contact the Government of Canada toll-free at 1‑800‑959‑7383.
For useful information for First Nations entrepreneurs and Community Economic Development Officers (CEDOs), we invite you to regularly consult our dedicated toolbox as well as the COVID-19 section of our blog.
