I received Incentive Program to Retain Essential Workers (IPREW) payments

Like the federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), essential workers in Québec could apply for the Incentive Program to Retain Essential Workers (IPREW). This program provided temporary income support to essential workers in Québec during COVID-19.

The IPREW provided $100 per week for up to 16 weeks (a total of $1,600 for 4 months) in addition to regular wages. This benefit was available for any eligible work you’ve done beginning on March 15, 2020 to July 4, 2020. It is no longer possible to apply. The date on which the period of admission to this temporary program ended was November 15, 2020.

You would have received IPREW payments if you:

  • Live in Québec and are at least 15 years old
  • Are a full-time or part-time essential worker (for example, if you work at a pharmacy, a restaurant, or for emergency services)
  • Earn $550 or less per week
  • Have a total employment income of at least $5,000, but no more than $28,600, for 2020

No. IPREW payments are made during the weeks you don’t receive amounts from federal or provincial income support programs, like the CERB, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), and the temporary aid for workers.

Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

If you received IPREW payments, this amount will be shown on your RL-1 slip. Follow these steps in H&R Block’s 2023 tax software to report your IPREW payments:

  1. On the left navigation menu, click the Government slips tab, then Smart Search.

  1. Type RL-1 or relevé 1 in the search field and either click the highlighted selection or press Enter to continue.

  2. When you arrive at the RL-1 page, select Box O-5 from the Box letter or number drop-down list.

  3. Enter your information into the tax software.