#cesb

[maulthots]

Star Trek: The Original Series | Plato's Stepchildren

[atlanticcanada]

Ontario man shocked to repay $12K in CERB payments years after using them

An Ontario man says he’s been asked to pay back $12,000 of his COVID-19 benefits years after he used them.

“I’m between a rock and a hard place. I don’t have that money now. It’s long gone,” Eduardo Tso told CTV News Toronto.

Tso said he worked in retail during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though he worked during that time, Tso’s hours and shifts were reduced, which he thought made him eligible to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

But the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) told him he earned more than $1,000 of employment or self-employment during the payment periods he applied for CERB.

Tso was told by the CRA that he was not eligible for CERB, and that he needs to pay back $12,000.

"This has to be some kind of mistake. This is like three years ago. How can you possibly tell me I owe this money now when things are so expensive and interest rates are so high,” Tso said.

In a rush to help Canadians during the pandemic, the federal government sent out billions of dollars in CERB payments, but many Canadians who received those payments weren't eligible.

Canada’s auditor general estimated about $4.6 billion in pandemic benefits went to people it shouldn't have, and the CRA has been trying to collect that money over the past three years.

Almost 800,000 Canadians have repaid $1.4 billion in COVID benefits and the government recovered almost $240 million by holding back tax refunds.

Earlier this year, in January, CTV News Toronto spoke with a Toronto actor who also took CERB payments.

Alain D’Amours was shocked when he was told he had to pay back $23,700.

"You gave me the money to help me survive. You gave the money, it is not a loan, right now it feels like I borrowed from you and now I have to pay it back with interest," D’Amours said.

The federal government wants to collect overpayments from all its COVID-19 benefit programs, including the following:

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)

According to the CRA, anyone facing financial hardship can arrange to pay back benefits over time.

Tso said he lives in his sister’s basement and declaring bankruptcy may be his only option.

"I think I qualified for this and I think the $12,000 should be completely erased. There is no way I can pay this money back,” he said. 

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/gBCF0UA

[ceasarslegion]

Thought i should crosspost my angry twitter thread about my issues with how Canada's handling this crisis, particularly with us students

[b-rambles]

A friend of mine and I have been chatting lately about how this pandemic seems to be opening many Canadians eyes to the problems in our country and world (as horrific as it is that it’s taken a pandemic to do so). Of course no one wanted or predicted a pandemic and I certainly do not believe it is a GOOD thing, it’s a horrifying and terrifying thing. But as many have said before me, it’s truly illuminating the problems in our country:

The lack of money and essentials given to Indigenous and First Nations communities in this pandemic is appalling. $305 million of the $82 billion pandemic response budget was given to ALL Indigenous and First Nations communities, highlighting and drawing mass attention to Canada’s historic and continued mistreatment. Furthermore, gas pipelines are continuing to be run through Indigenous and First Nations land- despite the increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 and the continual protests. 

The Spirit of the Buffalo Camp at Standing Rock was burned down the morning of April 26th, 2020. Local RCMP and law enforcement did nothing. “The camp is a prayer camp in resistance to Enbridge’s Line 3 Pipeline expansion (the corporations biggest ever project) and is [situated] almost directly on the US/Canada border.” The camp had stood for 2 years in peaceful resistance to the pipeline expansion. Their camps facebook page. The Wet’suwet’en resistance blockade against Coastal GasLink and LNG Canada placing a pipeline across unceded land is still on going. They are facing RCMP working in the direct interests of gas companies. Donate here.

The CERB initially excluded a massive one-third of Canadians- and the most vulnerable and in need third too. The initial CERB qualifications released on March 25, 2020 was met with calls for it to be universal. Initially, it excluded students, seasonal workers, homeless people, disabled people, gig, contract, and commission workers, and those who were making scant part-time income. Push back by citizens and fuelled by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh led to Trudeau expanding the restrictions to include contract workers, seasonal workers, and those still making up to $1000. On April, 22, 2020, Trudeau also announced the CESB, a $9.3 billion support package for students and recent graduates. Although students will only recieve $1,250 per month ($1,750 if disabled), and this amount faces backlash as rent in places such as Ontario is at least $900/month. Canadian students are not worth 60% of other Canadians. Jagmeet Singh and the NDP party are still pushing for the CERB to be made universal and all qualifications to be waived.

Trudeau refuses to exclude companies who use tax havens in their COVID-19 bailout.

----------

A few accounts I would recommend following if you want to stay informed:

- @allthecanadianpolitics (my favourite blog tbh), @atlanticcanada, @politicsofcanada, and your provincial politics tumblr ie. (@abpolitics, @nlpolitics)

- Raven Trust on Instagram and their website

- Women on the Frontlines Speak on Instagram

- Gidimten checkpoint on Instagram

- tapioca-starch on Instagram

(April 27, 2020)

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Reminder: Canadian Students: The final monthly period of the CESB covid19 benefit is now available (August 2nd-August 29th, 2020):

Apply here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/emergency-student-benefit/cesb-how-apply.html

[arrebxl]

No puedo curar tu ansiedad, pero puedo apoyarte mientras intentas controlarla. Al final del camino, siempre estaré para ti.

Min

[roboticutie]

I have a question in regards to the CRA student benefits plan, I know they want us to keep track of our job applications but do you know what the minimum is? Like how many jobs do we have to apply for in order to receive the benefit? Also, thank you for that informative post!

You’re welcome! I’m glad others are finding it helpful. Since you saw the post I’m betting you’ve read this webpage... That’s the most information on it we currently have from them. Job Bank uses the EI job hunt PDF as a template to show us how to keep track of things without a Plus account (which is also free but requires your SIN number or Express Entry number, it keeps track of your searching efforts on their site specifically).

I’m considering upgrading to a Plus account as it’s only one day in and emotionally I feel a little overwhelmed about the idea of keeping track and what they might ask as proof, despite them reminding us on Job Bank: “Employers do not need to give you confirmation that you've applied for their job. You should never pay for proof of your job search and, if asked, you should refuse.” But if we don’t receive confirmation, are they just talking us at face-value? No one has been audited yet because it literally just started this weekend, so we don’t know what they will be asking of us. If we learn more I will post as loudly as I can about what their criteria turns out to be, I promise.

Using Job Bank Standard is what I’ll consider the minimum personally, and using a Plus account is a safe measure. This answer got a little long just because we’re all so uncertain right now, so there’s more links and screenshots down below.

There is this website which talks about keeping your eligibility for CESB, but again does not offer any specific number of jobs you must apply for. On the right side of this webpage they also detail who can apply, how much you can receive, how to apply, which time periods you can apply for when, and how to return or repay a payment you were not eligible for.

So, because there are no specifics on these other sites which is as reassuring as it is nauseatingly terrifying, I’m turning to the EI requirements since Job Bank offers their paperwork as a template.

So... Basically you need to do something every day, is what I’m reading. Which is scary, but that DOES NOT mean turning in and applying for at least one job every day from the start. Actions in your job hunt include:

SO... Job Bank has quizzes. Job Bank has resume templates. Keep track of every thing you do every day in regards to a job hunt, whether you intend to get a job or not. I’m not here to judge. Just here to help.

@allthecanadianpolitics If you feel like this has any helpful info that didn’t get covered in my submission, please do reblog and pass this around!

[smile-dance-breathe]

so like...how much proof do I need to provide that I’m looking for a job for CESB

[maulthots]

Star Trek: The Original Series | What Little Girls Are Made Of

[terrinakamura]

College classes have changed a lot since the '70s and '80s. School started last Thursday for me, and so far I've managed to inadvertently "skip" two classes. Not good! 🏫 . . Two of three classes meet in person twice weekly, and the third is completely online. 💻 In the latter, to have conversations with classmates or the professor 👩‍🏫 we've been invited to meet in a gaming chat room called "Discord." . . It's alien to be in school and not have personal contact unless you count email. 📧 It's alien to rely on a computer interface for communicating, finding information, turning in assignments, etc. 👽 It's not intuitive or logical to me -- YET. Just when I think I'm starting to "get it," I find out I've screwed up something else! ☹️ Ugh! . . When you're used to being successful at what you do, it's disconcerting to suddenly find yourself lost and confused. 😱 . . I feel like an outsider among my classmates, most of whom I suspect are younger than my own kids. But what am I saying? In this crazy scenario, I haven't even met any of them yet! So maybe I'm imagining some of this? 💡 . . Last week I had a revelation: I have a tendency to invite disruption. Enrolling in college qualifies! Now I'd like to extend an invitation to equilibrium! ⚖️ . . Our youngest son (32) said, "Mom, you need a study buddy." With some luck, maybe I'll find one or two or three! . . Are you a creature of consistency, or do you seek out chaos? . . PHOTOS: succulent flower, ferns, spathiphyllum -- at the Volunteer Park Conservatory. Next photos will come to you from #CESB-- the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where I will head Tuesday afternoon. . . #succulent #flower #fern #ferns #variegated #spathiphyllum #pink #volunteerpark #volunteerparkconservatory #capitolhill #seattle (at Volunteer Park Conservatory) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsV_-SLl7Kz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bq8m1w4egddu

[toallthewildfires]

http://chng.it/SD28qNYR5x

STUDENTS STUDYING AT A CANADIAN UNIVERSITY, PLEASE READ AND SIGN!

[themoneysavvyblog]

What's new this tax season

What’s new this tax season

Each year, CRA makes changes that have the ability to impact your Canadian tax filing. While some changes can be minimal, it’s important to be aware of them, because they may still impact your individual tax situation. Here are some changes that were made for the 2020 tax year. Additional boxes on T4 If you’re an employee, chances are that you may have already received your T4. You may also…

[ceasarslegion]

Okay, I actually have such a beef with the CESB shit now

Requiring people to be out there searching for jobs is fucking disgusting, Justin. It's the middle of a fucking pandemic, get your shit together. Students constantly get thrown under the bus like our lives don't matter. I will not hop on a bike and deliver fucking McDonald's to people in this town just to keep the steady income i need to keep food on the table and a roof over my head come the next school year. I depend on compiled summer income as a full-time student, and now y'all pull this shit?

I am not high-risk, I should preface. I don't have any medical problems that would fuck me over if I caught covid. I'm very healthy and young and spry. I'd probably be fine, tbh. But you know who wouldn't be? The at-risk people I'd vector it to. The senior I currently live with. And I'd just be coughing up my lungs behind one of those surgical masks that never fit my tiny face properly getting viral shed everywhere because Trudeau dangled a scrap of financial security in front of us and attached a string of labour requirements to it.

Students are not your fucking disposable pawns. We are not "basically teenagers" who all live with our equally young and spry parents. We are not all young adults. We are not invincible to a deadly virus, because no one is invincible. Anyone could die from it, including me, who is the poster boy of what you evidently think a student is. I will not risk my life for the fucking economy, but y'all really decided to put a financial security gun to our heads and all but force how many of us into deciding between homelessness-inducing safe quarantining and actual, potential death. Fuck you.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

In the application for CESB, the CRA recommends keeping track of your attempts at job searching. Whether you do it for show or you're genuinely looking, the CRA themselves recommend in the CESB application that you use Job Bank.

Here is the official Job Bank CESB website which details how it helps you find jobs to apply for, and what is the minimum required that you can present to stay eligible for the student benefits.

Before applying I recommend reading through that and planning the course of action best available to you. At the very least, subscribing to job alerts and opening a standard (free, only email required) Job Bank account is recommended. This can take less than 30 minutes. Good luck everyone, through all of this.

And remember! Quoting the link above directly: Employers do not need to give you confirmation that you've applied for their job. You should never pay for proof of your job search and, if asked, you should refuse.

--

Submitted by roboticutie

[arrebxl]

Escribir mis abrumadoras emociones fue un escape de mi realidad, conocerte fue el cielo que me enseñó a vivirla.

Min