The Emergency Response Benefit is going online for faster access for Canadians who have lost their job or pay-cheque due to COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, starting Monday people can sign up on Canada.ca

Trudeau says, that if you choose to direct deposit you will get a payment in 3-5 days. If you choose payment by mail you will receive money within the next 10 days. The Emergency Response Benefit will provide $2,000 a month for the next 4 months for workers who have lost their income as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

To keep the system from being overwhelmed the government is basing intake batches on the month you were born. That means people born in January, February and March should apply on Mondays starting April 6; those born in April, May and June should apply on Tuesdays starting April 7; people born in July, August or September should apply on Wednesdays starting April 8; and those born in October, November and December should apply on Thursdays starting April 9. All affected Canadians can apply on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Trudeau says 13 thousand government workers from various agencies are being re-assigned to help get federal aid out. He added that they on working to make sure the CRA website is robust enough to handle the demand it will experience Monday. The Prime Minister also said the government is working on details on help for those who are working part-time in essential industries.

The Federal government is also looking for people with specialized skills to help on the front-lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister says, health Canada is building a inventory on specialized volunteers that provinces and territories can draw on for support. Skills needed include tracking cases and tracing contact, as well as collecting and reporting data.