Between 2020 and 2022, many people received COVID-19 income support benefits from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). These income support benefits include the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), and Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit (CRCB).
However, some people later found out they were not eligible for the benefits they received. As a result, the CRA may require them to repay some or all of the money they received. But many people have difficulty with repaying the benefits. For example, they may experience financial and other hardship. Repaying the benefits may mean that they cannot afford rent, food, medication, or other basic necessities. In this situation, they may need some form of debt relief.
ISAC has developed a new resource to help people who find themselves in this situation.
Important note: This resource does not address options for individuals who disagree with a CRA decision that they were not eligible for the pandemic benefits they received and who want to challenge the CRA’s decision. Individuals who want to challenge a CRA decision about ineligibility should consider the following resources:
- Steps to Justice: The CRA says I must pay back the COVID-19 benefit. What can I do?
- Pro Bono Ontario: CERB/CRB Overpayment Pro Bono Program
ISAC’s new resource on requesting debt relief for pandemic benefit overpayments explains two common options for debt relief: (1) requesting a repayment plan, and (2) requesting a pause in debt collection.
The resource explains how to make these requests, and what information to provide to the CRA.