Updated May 20, 2020: Please note that tax policies are changing rapidly. We are updating this article as details are made available.
The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students, and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19.
Who can apply?
You cannot apply if you already applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI).
Student must be enrolled in post-secondary education anytime between December 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020, or graduated from secondary school in 2020 and has applied for enrollment in a post-secondary program that wais scheduled to begin before February 1, 2020, and plans to enrol if accepted.
Student must attest that they are looking for work (whether employed or unemployed) but are unable to find it.
Payment Amount
$1,250 a month benefit for the months of May to August
$2,000 a month benefit for students with disabilities or dependents for the months of May to August
Additional Student Relief
Canada Student Service Grant: Grants up to $5,000 towards fall tuition if students volunteers in a sector needing assistance due to COVID.
Student Loans: A six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans and OSAP loans for all individuals currently in the process of repaying these loans.
How to Apply
One line thorough CRA My Account.
By phone at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041. Before you call, please have your Social Insurance Number and postal code on hand.