Federal COVID-19 Benefits Open for Application, Payments Will Be Made Within 3-5 Days

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during his daily press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic outside his residence in Ottawa on April 5, 2020. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press

The Canada emergency response benefit (CERB) became open for application starting at 6 a.m. ET on April 6. Applicants will receive the payments within three to five days by direct deposit, or within 10 days by mail.

The government is expected to make further adjustments to encompass a broader range of applicants in the coming weeks.