Not everyone is eligible for CERB and MAY have to repay benefits at a later date through other Government of Canada benefits such as Income Tax Refund, GST, etc.
It is your responsibility to review the eligibility criteria online as you apply.
Please review the information on the Government of Canada website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
Questions and Answers webpage on their site as well:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application/questions.html
An excerpt from the Government of Canada website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
Who is eligible (for CERB):
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
The Benefit is available to workers:
- Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
- Who have stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020;
- Who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and,
- Who have not quit their job voluntarily.