The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has begun verifying certain applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to ensure that these beneficiaries have not abused the system.
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The federal agency sent letters to people whose actual income information was missing when they applied for the benefit, asking them to provide more details about their income at the time.
“The current phase is limited to people who would have earned more than $1,000 during the periods for which they applied for the CERB,” said a spokesperson for the CRA in an email sent Thursday.
Remember that the CERB allowed people who have lost their income due to the COVID-19 pandemic to receive $ 500 in federal assistance per week.
People with side incomes over $1,000 during the claim period were barred from getting their hands on government checks.
Canadians who received the notice from the CRA in the mail will need to provide bank statements showing their income during the given period, their pay stub, letters from their employer confirming the income and corresponding dates, and the amended T4 slip with reduced income amounts.
The CRA did not want to reveal the number of people who are in this situation. She also did not say what penalty will be given to people who violate the rules of the program.
“The Canada Revenue Agency (the CRA) recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many Canadians and remains committed to being compassionate, flexible and supportive during this difficult time,” said spokesperson.
The PCU was the first of a panoply of aid programs set up by the government of Justin Trudeau as part of the response to the pandemic.
The program cost $74 billion and supported 8.9 million Canadians between March 15 and October 3, 2020.