The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that it has resolved approximately $246 million in pandemic benefit debts following eligibility disputes.
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government introduced numerous benefit programs to support individuals and businesses. These programs included the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).
However, some individuals and businesses received benefits that they were not eligible for. In response, the CRA launched a review of pandemic benefit claims.
CRA Review
The CRA review identified approximately $4.6 billion in potential overpayments of pandemic benefits. Of this amount, approximately $246 million has now been resolved.
The CRA has been working with individuals and businesses to resolve these debts. This has included providing payment arrangements, waiving penalties and interest, and in some cases, cancelling debts.
Eligibility Disputes
The eligibility disputes that have been resolved involved a variety of factors, including:
- Individuals who received CERB while they were working or earning income from other sources
- Businesses that claimed CEWS or CERS while they were not eligible
- Individuals who received benefits that they were not entitled to due to residency or citizenship status
Next Steps
The CRA is continuing to review pandemic benefit claims to identify any remaining overpayments. Individuals and businesses who have received benefits that they were not eligible for are encouraged to contact the CRA to resolve their debts.
The CRA has also implemented new measures to prevent future overpayments of pandemic benefits. These measures include:
- 加强在申请过程中对资格的验证
- 与其他政府机构合作以交叉引用信息
- 对可疑的索赔进行审查和调查
Conclusion
The CRA’s efforts to resolve pandemic benefit debts have resulted in the recovery of approximately $246 million. The CRA is committed to ensuring that pandemic benefits are only provided to individuals and businesses who are eligible.
Individuals and businesses who have received benefits that they were not eligible for are encouraged to contact the CRA to resolve their debts. The CRA has taken steps to make this process as easy as possible.
联系信息
To contact the CRA, individuals and businesses can call 1-800-959-8281 or visit the CRA website at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html.
Kind regards,
E. Thompson