The new Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is finally available. The program extends financial relief to many more small businesses suffering from the effects of COVID-19. If you were not eligible for the subsidy in the past you may be now. Going forwards from period 5 the program works on a sliding scale: the greater your loss in revenue due to COVID-19, the greater the subsidy you will be eligible to receive.

Like the previous application process, you can apply through one of 3 different platforms offered by CRA:

• My Business Account
• CRA online application form
• Represent a Client (temporarily suspended due to CRA security breach)

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-how-apply.html#h-2

To help you prepare for the application process, CFIB recently collaborated with CRA to host a Q&A webinar session on the new CEWS. Before you apply, we encourage you to watch the recording to learn:

• How eligible businesses can calculate the subsidy
• What businesses are eligible for the new CEWS
• How to use the new CEWS calculator
• Where you can find additional resources