On April 29, 2020, the Federal government introduced legislation to create the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) – a new financial support for post-secondary students whose work or work opportunities have been impacted by COVID-19.
Under the proposed legislation, students are eligible to receive $1,250 of income support per month for up to four months, from May to August 2020. Students with disabilities and those with dependents are eligible to receive an additional $750 per month. Students in receipt of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) would be ineligible for the CESB.
The CESB would be broadly available to students enrolled in a post-secondary education program; high school graduates who have applied for and will be registered for post-secondary programs in the coming months; as well as Canadian students studying abroad. Students who graduated or ended their program no earlier than December 2019 are also eligible. The government’s announcement indicates that students will be able to apply starting in May 2020.
The proposed legislation is currently being considered by Parliament. Further details are expected soon.
If you have any questions about this article, please contact Sari Wiens, Ilan Burkes, Nicole Toye or Jessica Fairbairn.
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