Single mothers and Limosine drivers will have to pay back the CERB they collected

[Skipper]

It’s been nearly four years since the federal government rolled out the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), but many Canadians who received funds are still confused by its eligibility requirements and are only learning now that they have to pay back the money.

The CRA said previously that the program was launched in a hurry and that the money needed to get to Canadians, but "ineligible individuals would later have to repay amounts they had received."

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CTV News asked readers to share their experiences with CERB, after publishing a story on Terrance Bailey, a Toronto man who owes the federal government more than $38,000 after he found out he wasn't eligible to receive the benefits in the first place.

Bailey told CTV News Toronto that he fears he may have to declare bankruptcy.

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"I'm on an old age pension and a Canada pension,” Bailey said. "I make $2,000 a month, and how am I supposed to pay back $38,000 and pay my groceries and my rent?"

CTV News received dozens of responses and many people detailed their frustrations with how the COVID-19 financial aid was doled out, how they were confused as to what they were entitled to, or whether they were even eligible to apply for CERB in the first place.

'I don’t have $19,000 to pay back'
One of those readers was Taylor Beaumont, a 22-year-old mother from Mount Forest, Ont., who was forced to work odd jobs at various fast food restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was working at Little Ceasars, Subway, Firehouse Subs, but I was reduced to only a shift or two a week or laid off permanently,” Beaumont said. In her mind, she was eligible to receive CERB, so she collected $19,000 through the pandemic.

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Beaumont said a CRA agent reached out to her in September 2023 saying that she would have to pay back the full $19,000. She claims the agent failed to return dozens of phone calls over a month-long span, and only after leaving an angry voicemail did she receive a call back, saying to call the main number and try to find another agent.

“I spoke with a second agent who did a second review of my case at the end of January, and only near the end of February did I find out I was still ineligible,” Beaumont said. Throughout this process, Beaumont said the CRA is taking her GST payments, her Trillium Benefit and Climate Action Benefit as a way to pay back what she owes for CERB.

“I’m a stay-at-home mom and I don’t have $19,000 to pay back,” she said. Only receiving $500 per month through the Child Tax Benefit, she doesn’t think it’s fair that the CRA is seizing her tax benefit money while she continues to appeal their decision.

[Lochdubh]

Thanks,Trudeau.

[weebles2]

How are us taxpayers funding a 22 year-old to bee a stay at home parent?

[soon]

it seemed like a dumb idea at the time. why even bother.

[asal]

taking the cerb looked like a dumb idea. Lots of people took it. risky.

[asal]

The lady's only income is the $500 child tax benefit? And she has kids? So dumb.

[weebles2]

The lady's only income is the $500 child tax benefit? And she has kids? So dumb.

Well if she is only making a dozen calls a month she seems like a real take charge go getter.

[soon]

it was a political ploy for sure. trudeau handed out cerb money right before he called a snap election.

[Berry Sweet]

taking the cerb looked like a dumb idea. Lots of people took it. risky.

Trudeau sold a lie. He made it sound like free money, one didn't have to pay back...he tried making himself look like a hero during the pandemic.

The whole thing sounded fishy to me from the start. I had and have nothing to do with cerb. I did the right thing, didn't bother. Just worked and lived off my paychecks. I knew people would get fucked.

[Berry Sweet]

I've read stories and also know a couple people who are on disability...they applied for the cerb...(I told them not to as they're already getting assistance...double dipping) they didn't listen. Now they have to pay it back. Idiots! Like, why?! Why would you do that and think it's a good idea?!

It's hard to feel sorry for some people today.

[Pantalon de Singe]