Income Support Payments Increased to 28 Weeks

Summary#

The Regulations Amending the Income Support Payment (Number of Weeks) Regulations change how long the government can pay the COVID-19 income support under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act. They increase the maximum length of payments to 28 weeks and came into force immediately when made (August 28, 2020, registered August 29, 2020; published September 16, 2020).

What it does#

• Replaces the previous limit so a worker can receive the income-support payment for up to 28 weeks (an increase from 24 weeks).
• Applies to the income-support payments created under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit Act.
• The regulations state they come into force on the day they are made, so the change took effect immediately when signed.

Who's affected#

• Workers who stopped working for reasons related to COVID‑19 and who meet the program’s eligibility rules.
• People who were already receiving the benefit and those who might need more weeks as the economy reopens.
• Employers and small businesses are not expected to see direct regulatory costs from this change, according to the government statement.

Why it matters#

• It gives eligible people an extra 4 weeks of financial support while they wait to return to work or manage COVID‑related care, illness, or isolation.
• That extra time can ease short-term financial pressure and support public-health goals by making it easier for people to stay home when needed.
• The change is a short-term pandemic measure aimed at smoothing the economic re-opening; it does not alter eligibility rules beyond extending the maximum duration.