How to apply: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
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Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
Sections
- Who can apply: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- How much you can get: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Periods you can apply for: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- How to apply
- Keep getting your payments: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Impact on your taxes: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Return a payment: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Contact us about CRB: Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
How to apply
On this page
Before you apply
Answer these questions to ensure your application will be quick and easy:
File your income taxes
Great. Your tax information will help us process your application.
If you filed your return after the due date, your application may be delayed.
You must file your taxes to apply for more than 21 periods
If you apply for more than 21 periods, you must file your 2019 or 2020 taxes to keep getting the CRB. Check how many periods you applied for.
Your tax information helps verify your eligibility
If you apply for less than 21 periods, you should still file your 2019 and 2020 taxes, even if you do not owe taxes or cannot pay on time.
Payment delays (up to 4 weeks) may occur if the CRA does not have your income information.
For how to file, go to: Get ready to do your taxes.
You must file your 2019 or 2020 taxes before you can apply for the CRB.
For how to file, go to: Get ready to do your taxes.
Confirm you are currently registered with the CRA
Great. You can apply online using CRA My Account.
Next, go to: Set up direct deposit.
Call the general enquiries line 1-800-959-8281 for help accessing your CRA My Account
You have 2 options:
- You can recover them by going to CRA My Account (opens in new window)
- Select 'CRA Login'
- Choose 'Forgot your user ID' or 'Forgot your password'
- If you 'Forgot your user ID' you will need your:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- date of birth
- copy of this year's or last year's assessed individual tax return
- answers to the security questions you set up during registration
- If you 'Forgot your user ID' you will need your:
- If you can’t recover your account, call the general enquiries line 1-800-959-8281
You do not need to register for a CRA My Account. When the benefit is open for application, you can sign in to My Service Canada Account (opens in new window):
- Select 'Switch to Canada Revenue Agency'
- At the bottom of the 'Registration and Authentication' page , confirm 'I agree'
- You will be transferred to your CRA My Account
To apply online, you will need to register a CRA My Account (opens in new window).
You must file your 2019 or 2020 taxes before you can apply for the CRB.
For how to file, go to Get ready to do your taxes or call 1-800-959-8281.
We strongly encourage you to file a tax return for 2019 and 2020 to apply for the CRB. Filing your taxes first will make the application process much faster and easier. For more information on how to file, go to: Get ready to do your taxes or call 1-800-959-8281.
Set up direct deposit
Direct deposit payments take about 3 to 5 business days. A cheque takes about 10 to 12 business days.
Check impact on your social assistance benefits
If you earn more than $38,000
You may have to reimburse some or all of your benefit payment if you earn over $38,000 in the calendar year.
To determine how this may impact you, go to:
When you can apply
You may start applying on the first Monday after the 2-week period you're applying for has ended. Applications do not renew automatically.
You must apply for each period separately. You may apply for any period you are eligible for that is open for application, including up to 60 days after the period has ended.
Determine when to apply
Apply online or by phone
Make sure you're properly set up. Refer to: Before you apply.
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Apply
Read the Privacy Statement
When you apply for the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), your personal information is collected under the authority of the Canada Recovery Benefits Act, which is being jointly administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Your personal information will be used for the purpose of (i) administering your application, and could be used for (ii) issuing a payment to you, (iii) verifying that you meet the program's eligibility requirements, and to (iv) collect any overpayments or erroneous payments that may have been issued to you. Failure to provide information will affect your consideration for benefits.
Please note that to process your application we will need to access information in your tax file. Your information may also be disclosed to other federal, provincial, territorial or aboriginal government institutions to the extent authorized by law. Failure to provide this information will make it impossible for us to process your application.
Under the Privacy Act, you have a right of protection, access to and correction of your personal information and to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding our handling of your information. Personal information banks for this program are under development and will be available in Info Source.
- Online:
- By phone:
- Contact the CRA to apply by phone or TTY
The automated phone line is no longer available. You can still apply by phone.
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Provide any additional information requested by the CRA
The CRA will verify your application. If we do not have complete information, your payment may be delayed up to 4 weeks.
To help avoid delays, file your 2019 and 2020 income tax return.
If your application needs further validation, we may ask you to provide additional information.
For more details, go to If your application needs validation
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- Date modified:
- 2021-12-09