Final Chance to Apply for the Canada Student Emergency Benefit (CESB)

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides temporary income support to post-secondary students and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are facing a different job market this summer due to COVID-19. With this benefit, eligible students could get $1,250 per month for up to four months. Eligible students with disabilities or those with children or other dependents can receive $2,000.

Applications for the fourth (and final) period of the CESB opened on August 3, 2020.

Students have until September 30, 2020 to apply for period 4, as well as all past periods for which they are eligible and have not yet applied.

Get ready to apply

·        Step 1: Create a profile with the CRA by calling 1-800-959-8281 to register your SIN (for students who have never filed a tax return). If this doesn’t apply to you, go to step 2!

·        Step 2: Register for CRA’s My Account, as it is the fastest and easiest way to complete your CESB application.

Note: you don’t need to wait for your My Account security code to apply for the CESB.

·        Step 3: Sign up for Direct Deposit to have CESB payments deposited directly into your bank account. Financial institutions across the country are also allowing Canadians to sign up for CRA direct deposit through their bank portals in a few easy steps.

Other financial support available to students

Students who think they may still need financial help after their final CESB payment are encouraged to consult the COVID-19 Benefits Finder to see if they are eligible for other support.

To learn more about the CESB and to apply, go to Canada Emergency Student Benefit.

To find out about other support available through Athabasca University, visit their COVID-19 Q&A page here.