CRSB and CRCB Extended to November 20, 2021

Summary#

The final regulation Regulations Amending the Canada Recovery Benefits Act extends two COVID‑19 income supports. It keeps the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) available from October 23, 2021 to November 20, 2021, and came into force on October 22, 2021.

What it does#

• Extends the period during which the CRSB and the CRCB can be claimed from October 23, 2021 to November 20, 2021.
• Leaves other rules unchanged, including maximum entitlement limits of 4 weeks for the CRSB and 42 weeks for the CRCB.
• Estimates additional program payments of $259 million and operating costs of $12.1 million, for a total cost of $271.1 million (present value).
• The government estimates about 518,000 people would directly benefit from the extra weeks (about 114,000 CRSB claimants and 404,000 CRCB claimants).

Who's affected#

• Workers who are sick with COVID‑19 or must self‑isolate and need income support (potential CRSB claimants).
• Parents or caregivers who must stay home to care for a child or family member because of COVID‑19 disruptions (potential CRCB claimants).
• The Canada Revenue Agency, which administers the payments and will incur operating costs to process the extra weeks.
• Federally regulated employers may see more or longer leave from some employees; the regulations do not change employer paperwork.

Why it matters#

• It maintains a source of weekly income for people who cannot work because of illness or caregiving tied to COVID‑19.
• Keeping these payments available makes it easier for sick people and caregivers to stay home, which can reduce virus spread and protect public health.
• The extension provides about $259 million in extra direct payments to roughly 518,000 recipients, with modest added administration costs ($12.1 million).
• There may be short‑term productivity impacts where people delay returning to work, but the government says public‑health and social benefits likely outweigh those costs.