On January 11, 2021, the Government of Canada indicated that they are changing the eligibility rules so that international travelers who are required to quarantine upon their return to Canada will not be eligible to receive the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit or the Canada Recovery Benefit during the period of their quarantine. The Government of Canada intends to introduce legislation so that these changes will come into effect retroactively on January 3, 2021.
Once they have served the mandatory quarantine period, individuals would be able to claim the recovery benefits for subsequent periods if they meet the eligibility criteria.
The following items were added to the FAQ:
How is eligibility being changed for the three recovery benefits?
How will the Government know I am in a mandatory quarantine period?
When does this change come into effect?
How do I know if I have to quarantine and am impacted by these changes?I am exempt from the mandatory quarantine, but subsequently fall ill with COVID-19 or have to self-isolate. Am I eligible to claim the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
I am exempt from the mandatory quarantine, but subsequently am unable to work at least 50% of my normally scheduled hours because I have to care for my children who are required by the government to home school. Am I eligible to claim the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit?
I returned from international travel and began serving the mandatory quarantine prior to January 3, 2021. Am I eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
If I am unable to work due to a COVID-19 reason after my mandatory quarantine period, will I be able to access the recovery benefits?
Full detailed responses
How will the Government know I am in a mandatory quarantine period?
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will update the application process for the three recovery benefits on Monday, January 11. For claims covering a period beginning on or after January 3, 2021, applicants will need to indicate whether they were self-isolating or in quarantine due to international travel. Over the coming weeks, the CRA will delay processing claims for individuals who are self-isolating or in quarantine because of international travel, and will determine how these claims will be handled once the legislative process is complete.
When does this change come into effect?
The Government of Canada will be proposing legislation to amend the Canada Recovery Benefits Act that would come into effect retroactively on January 3, 2021.
How do I know if I have to quarantine and am impacted by these changes?
These changes will apply to all international travelers who, on or after January 3, 2021, are required to quarantine when they return to Canada.
Information on travelers who are required to quarantine and travelers who are exempt can be found here: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/isolation.
I am exempt from the mandatory quarantine, but subsequently fall ill with COVID-19 or have to self-isolate. Am I eligible to claim the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
If you are exempt from the mandatory quarantine requirements, you may be eligible to claim the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit. You would need to meet the other eligibility criteria to receive the benefit.
I am exempt from the mandatory quarantine, but subsequently am unable to work at least 50% of my normally scheduled hours because I have to care for my children who are required by the government to home school. Am I eligible to claim the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit?
If you are exempt from the mandatory quarantine requirements, you may be eligible to claim the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit. You would need to meet the other eligibility criteria to receive the benefit.
I returned from international travel and began serving the mandatory quarantine prior to January 3, 2021. Am I eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit?
You are not entitled to the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit for the period of your quarantine that falls after January 3, 2021. However, if you meet the other eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to the benefit during the period of your quarantine that falls before January 3, 2021.
If I am unable to work due to a COVID-19 reason after my mandatory quarantine period, will I be able to access the recovery benefits?
The eligibility restrictions for international travelers who need to quarantine only apply for the period during which they have to quarantine.
For example, if a person is unable to work due to COVID-19 after their quarantine period ends and meets the eligibility criteria for one of the three recovery benefits, they could be eligible to receive that benefit.
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