Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)

Offers temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown. One can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period. It is only available when a COVID-19 lockdown order is designated for your province/territory. Eligibility includes:

• A region where you live, work, or provide a service is designated as a COVID-19 lockdown region
• Lockdown resulted in loss of employment, inability to continue to be self-employed, or a 50% reduction in average weekly income as compared to the previous year
• Did not quit a job, voluntarily stop working, turn down reasonable work, refuse to return to work when asked by your employer, or fail to resume self-employment when it was possible
• Not also receive Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), or short-term disability benefits during this period
• Earned at least $5,000 in 2020, 2021, or in the 12 months before the date you apply from employment income, self-employment income, EI, or other federal COVID-19 benefits
• Have been present in Canada
• Be at least 15 years old
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Filed a 2020 tax return
• Were not self-isolating or in quarantine due to international travel
• Received a COVID-19 vaccine or it is not required to continue your work

If a regional lockdown continues, applicants must re-apply for each 1-week period separately. Applicants may apply for any weeks it is available within the province between October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022. Affected Canadian workers in newly designated lockdown regions can apply with payments made retroactive to December 19, 2021. Individuals can apply by phone or through MyCRA Account. Phone line hours are 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 5 pm Saturdays (local time).