The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
Vision Credit Union • May 25, 2020
Emergency financial relief for eligible students and recent graduates
Similar to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) distribution, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides emergency financial relief to eligible students and recent graduates who are unable to work, unable to find work or working but making under a certain amount, due to reasons related to COVID-19.
Direct deposit allows students to receive the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) quickly and securely. You can register for direct deposit through your local Vision Credit Union branch.
Who's eligible to receive CESB?
The CESB provides emergency financial relief to students and recent graduates who are unable to work or unable to find work, due to reasons related to COVID-19. It's also available for those who are working but making no more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period you're applying for.
Students, including those studying abroad, are eligible for CESB if you are:
- a Canadian citizen, including dual citizens;
- a registered Indian under the Indian Act;
- a permanent resident; or
- a protected person.
Are there age restrictions for CESB?
There are no age restrictions for eligibility of the CESB.
What information is needed to apply for CESB?
Students will need to have a social insurance number to apply. When applying, you must attest that for COVID-19 related reasons, you are:
- unable to work; or
- seeking work but unable to find it; or
- working but unable to make more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period you're applying for.
For those seeking work but unable to find it, you must continue to actively look for a job to be eligible to receive the CESB. If you're still unable to find work due to COVID-19, or unable to earn more than $1,000, you can re-apply for each CESB period that you're eligible for. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may ask you to provide information later on to verify that you've been looking for work during the eligibility period(s) that you applied for.
In addition, students are not eligible for CESB if you're receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance benefits for the same four-week period as your current application.
What's the application process for CESB?
- For students who have never filed a tax return: create a profile with the CRA by calling 1-800-959-8281.
- Call the CRA (1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041) or register online for a CRA My Account to complete an application.
- Register for direct deposit through your local Vision branch.
Have questions or need assistance?
Please contact your local branch
with questions or for more information.
Stay well and remember — we can weather this together.
