Do You Still Owe CERB Money? Here’s What Canadians Need to Know Years After the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 9 million Canadians received Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments from the federal government to replace lost income. For most people, CERB may feel like a distant memory now—but not for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the thousands of Canadians it says received payments they shouldn’t have.

CERB was introduced in 2020 to support workers who lost income due to COVID-19 lockdowns and layoffs. To get money into Canadians’ hands quickly, Service Canada relied on applicants to self-confirm their CERB eligibility upfront, with government verification happening later. Now, years later, the CRA is still reviewing CERB claims and recovering overpayments from Canadians who didn’t actually meet the eligibility requirements.

In fact, as of 2026, the CRA has reported that it is still owed more than $10 billion in COVID-19 benefit overpayments, and more than $5 billion of that is tied to CERB benefits. The CRA is actively collecting on CERB debt, and Canadians who received these benefits erroneously may still be expected to repay them.

Why is the CRA asking for CERB money back?

There are a few reasons why Canadians are being told they need to repay CERB:

• Not meeting CERB eligibility criteria: Some recipients discovered years after the pandemic they didn't fully qualify based on income or employment requirements.
•  Earning more than expected during a claim period: You may have to repay CERB because you earned more than $1,000 during a four-week claim period.
• Receiving duplicate payments: If you applied through both Service Canada and the CRA, you may have received duplicate payments due to system errors. Even honest mistakes can trigger CERB repayment requests.

How do you find out how much you owe for CERB?

If you're wondering whether you have an outstanding balance, follow these key steps:

•  Log in to your CRA My Account. This is the fastest way to view any balances, notices, or messages related to CERB.
• Review letters or notices from the CRA. The agency has been sending letters to individuals whose eligibility is under review or who have confirmed CERB debts. Not responding to those letters could potentially escalate the situation.

Tip: Only confirm details through official CRA channels. With scams on the rise, including CERB scams, always verify any communication by logging in to your CRA account or contacting the agency directly.

How to confirm if you were eligible for CERB

If you've received a notice from the CRA but aren't sure whether it's accurate, you'll need to reassess your eligibility based on the original rules:

• Review the $5,000 income requirement: You needed to have earned at least $5,000 in employment or self-employment income or provincial benefit payments related to parental leave in the 12 months prior to applying, or in 2019.

• Check your employment status: CERB was intended for individuals who stopped working or experienced a significant reduction in income due to COVID-19.

• Verify the income interruption test: The CERB program covered the period from March 15 to September 26, 2020, for a total of 28 weeks. For each four-week claim period, you must have had a qualifying interruption in income, meaning you earned little or no income during that time.

Even small details—like how income was calculated or when it was received—can affect eligibility. Taking the time to review your records can help clarify your situation.

What to do if you think the CRA made an error

If you still believe you were eligible but have been asked for CERB repayment, there's a dispute resolution process. Here's what to do:

• Gather relevant documents like pay stubs, invoices, bank statements, or records showing your loss of income.
• Follow the instructions in the CRA's letter. The CRA typically outlines next steps, including deadlines and how to respond.
• Submit supporting proof. Providing clear documentation is key to resolving disputes.
• Wait for the CRA to review your case and determine whether the CERB repayment request should be upheld or reversed.

How CERB repayment works

If you do owe CERB money, there are several ways to repay it:

• Repay online through CRA My Account.
• Make payments through your financial institution or online banking.
• Repay through Service Canada (if you received CERB through Employment Insurance).

Set up a payment arrangement

If you can't pay the full amount right away, the CRA may work with you and allow you to set up a payment plan based on your financial situation. The CRA encourages taxpayers to reach out early if they're having trouble repaying. Flexible arrangements are often available, but they require communication.

What happens if I don't repay CERB?

The CRA is not currently charging interest or penalties on COVID-19 benefit debts. However, if you don't repay CERB overpayments, the CRA has the authority to withhold future tax refunds, send your debt to tax collections, or take legal action against you.

If you've been contacted about CERB repayment—or even if you're just unsure—it's worth taking the time to check your status and understand your options.