The new
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) will start on October 12, 2020, and will be retroactive to September 27, 2020. The CRB will run until September 25, 2021.
Those who are not eligible for employment insurance (e.g. self-employed photographers) can get $1,000 per two-week period, less $100 held back for income tax. Note that you may still need to pay more in income tax when you file your tax return.
You have to apply every two weeks for CRB which is paid out in two-week periods.
You can apply for a maximum of 13 two-week periods between September 2020 and September 2021. I guess the theory is that either the pandemic will end soon and work will come flowing back, or, you'll find some work during the year and won't need a full year's worth of benefits.
You can work and still collect CRB as long as you earn less than 50% of your average weekly income from 2019, 2020 or the last twelve months. There is a limitation if you earn more than $38,000/year in 2020 or 2021, in which case you have to pay back 50% of any amount above $38,000, up to a maximum of total CRB received.
Be sure to read the information at the link above.