Difference between revisions of "Applying for Employment Insurance"

For detailed information on EI, including types of benefits available, how to apply, how much and how long you can collect, how to appeal an EI decision, and the ''Employment Insurance Act'', check the [http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/ Service Canada website]. Click on “[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/index.shtml Employment Insurance benefits]”. As well, the “[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/digest/table_of_contents.shtml Employment Insurance Digest of Benefit Entitlement Principles]” is important. ESDC uses this digest—and the law and regulations—when deciding on EI claims.

The type of benefit depends on the situation.  

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit.html Regular benefits]''' are for people who lose their job through no fault of their own—for example, they were laid off. They must be available and able to work but unable to find a job.

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-maternity-parental.html Maternity and parental benefits]''' are for people who cannot work because they are pregnant, or recently had a baby, or are adopting a child or caring for a baby.

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html Sickness benefits]''' are for people who cannot work because they are sick, injured, or quarantined.  

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-compassionate.html Compassionate care benefits]''' are for people who cannot work because they are away from work temporarily to care for or support a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death.

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/family-caregiver-children.html Family caregiver benefit for children]''' is for eligible parents who take time off work to care for their critically ill or injured child.  

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/family-caregiver-adults.html Family caregiver benefit for adults]''' is for eligible family members who take time off work to care for a critically ill or injured adult. They may be shared by eligible family members who provide care.

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-fishing.html Fishing benefits]''' are for self-employed fishers who are actively seeking work.

*'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/audience/canadiansabroad.html Benefits for Canadians living abroad]''' are for people who work outside Canada for a Canadian company or the Canadian government.  

You must apply online (on the Service Canada website) or in person at a local Service Canada office.

*Your SIN (social insurance number)—if your sin starts with a 9, you must give proof of your immigration status and a work permit.

The maximum weekly benefit as of January 1, 2018 is $547. Most people get 55% of their weekly average insurable earnings, up to a yearly maximum insurable amount. As of January 1, 2018, the maximum insurable amount is $51,700. Earnings include tips and commission and are before deductions. Benefits are taxable income, so taxes are deducted.

You must claim the EI within a 52-week period, called the “benefit period”. ESDC can extend the benefit period up to 104 weeks if you didn’t get EI for part of the period because of one of the following cases:

You must apply to extend the benefit period—it’s not automatic. An extension does not increase the total EI you get.

Yes. You can work part-time while receiving regular, fishing, parental, and compassionate care benefits. You must report anything you earn while you get EI. Under a pilot project, called “[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/information/wwc.shtml Working While on Claim]”, you can keep 50 cents of your EI benefits for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of your weekly insurable earnings. The 90% amount is called the earnings threshold. Any amount that you earn above the threshold is deducted from your benefits. This pilot project runs until August 11, 2018.

File a report every 2 weeks with HRSDC (on the internet, or by phone or mail) to show you're still eligible to receive benefits. The report must say if you:

'''[https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-reconsideration.html Reconsideration by EI Commission]'''—if you disagree with an EI decision (for example, if they refused your application for benefits), the first step is to ask for a '''reconsideration'''. The EI Commission will review the decision in your case. There is no cost, but you must request the reconsideration within 30 days of receiving the EI decision. The EI Commission may allow more time if you have a reasonable explanation for why you missed the deadline.

'''Appeal to [http://www1.canada.ca/en/sst/index.html Social Security Tribunal]'''—if you disagree with the result of the reconsideration, you can file an appeal with the Social Security Tribunal of Canada. This new tribunal replaces the previous EI appeal process and is independent from the EI Commission. The [http://www.canada.ca/en/sst/ Tribunal website] explains the appeal process.

'''Tribunal’s [http://www1.canada.ca/en/sst/ei/eiprocess.html General Division]'''—you have to file an appeal with the Social Security Tribunal’s General Division within 30 days of receiving the reconsideration decision. The Tribunal can dismiss an appeal or hold a hearing to assess the merits of it. Hearings can be by writing, phone, videoconference, or in person.

'''Tribunal’s [http://www1.canada.ca/en/sst/adei/adeiprocess.html Appeal Division]'''—if you disagree with a decision of the Tribunal’s General Division, in some cases you can file an appeal with the Tribunal’s Appeal Division. But you need permission from the Tribunal to do this. And you have to file an appeal within 30 days of receiving the General Division’s decision.

[updated June 2018]

'''The above was edited by John Blois.'''