• Student benefit applications open Friday

Students having trouble finding work due to the COVID19 pandemic can apply for a $1,250-per-month benefit starting Friday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday the opening of the application process for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which was first announced last month but needed to go through legislation in the House of Commons.

“Because of COVID-19, there are not as many student jobs this summer … to pay your tuition and daily expenses for the coming year. The Canada Emergency Student Benefit will be there to help you,” Trudeau said.

Eligible students making $1,000 a month or less will be able to receive $1,250 per month until the end of August, and students with recognized disabilities or with dependants under 12 are eligible to receive $2,000 a month, which is an increase of $250 a month from the previously announced $1,750.

The benefit is available only to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, but Canadian students studying abroad can also receive the benefit.

During a separate news conference, Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said in order to help manage the volume of applications, applicants will be asked to apply over four days beginning Friday based on their month of birth, similar to the system used with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Those born in January, February or March will be able to apply Friday, May 15; those born in April, May or June can apply May 16 and so on.

Students can expect their payment in three to five business days from when they were deemed eligible if they're using direct deposit.

“If you're a student and have never filed a tax return you'll need to call the CRA to activate your social insurance number so you can apply for the CESB. You'll then be able to set up a My Account and be ready to apply for the benefit this Friday,” Qualtrough said.

As for eligibility, the government defines a student as someone who is enrolled in a post-secondary educational program (at least 12 weeks in duration) that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate, someone who has completed or ended post-secondary studies in December 2019 or later, or someone who has completed or expects to complete high school, or received, or expects to receive, a high school equivalency in 2020, and has applied for a post-secondary educational program that starts before Feb. 1, 2021.

Qualtrough stressed Wednesday that the CESB is for those who cannot find adequate work to cover their expenses and tuition.

“It's in the bill itself, we have to direct students to job banks, we have to tell students where to find work and what jobs are available,” she said.

This means the CESB is available only to students who cannot find work due to the COVID-19 pandemic or those who are currently working but earn an income from employment and self-employment that has been $1,000 or less (before taxes) during the fourweek period they are applying for.

In their application, students who are able to work must attest that they are actively looking for a job to be eligible to receive the CESB.

More details are available through the Government of Canada webpage at www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/emergencystudent-benefit.html.