On February 19, 2021, the government announced several extensions to various personal COVID-19 related benefits. They include:
The CRB and CRCB (caregiver benefit) maximum eligibility period is extended by 12 weeks to 38 weeks in total.
The CRSB (sickness benefit) maximum eligibility period is extended by 2 weeks to 4 weeks in total.
The EI maximum eligibility period for temporary benefits is extended by 24 weeks to 50 weeks in total.
Self-employed workers who have opted in to the EI program to access special benefits would be able to use a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to the previous threshold of $7,555. This change would be retroactive to claims established as of January 3, 2021 and would apply until September 25, 2021.