Difference between revisions of "Applying for Employment Insurance"
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = Trevor Thomas, Ascent Employment Law|date= | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [https://www.ascentemploymentlaw.ca/about-us Trevor Thomas], Ascent Employment Law|date= October 2022}} {{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = work}} | ||
In Canada, the government offers financial | In Canada, the government offers financial assistance to people who are without work. Learn whether you’re eligible for '''employment insurance benefits''', and the steps to apply for benefits. | ||
== | ==What you should know== | ||
===Employment insurance benefits help people who are without work=== | |||
'''Employment insurance benefits''' are temporary payments made to people who lose their job through no fault of their own. | |||
EI, as it’s often called, also offers help if you can’t work because of illness or injury. And it provides benefits for people who take time off work to have or parent a child, or to care for family members who are ill or injured. | |||
The EI program is run by the federal government | The EI program is run by the federal government. | ||
=== | ===Types of EI benefits available=== | ||
'''EI regular benefits''' are for people who lose their job through no fault of their own — for example, | '''EI regular benefits''' are for people who lose their job through no fault of their own — for example, you were laid off. | ||
There are also other types of EI benefits available. | |||
*'''Maternity and parental benefits''' are for people who can’t work because | * '''Maternity and parental benefits''' are for people who can’t work because they’re pregnant, recently had a baby, are adopting a child, or are caring for a baby. | ||
*'''Sickness benefits''' are for people who can’t work because | * '''Sickness benefits''' are for people who can’t work because they’re ill, injured, or quarantined. | ||
There are benefits available for caregivers. | |||
* '''Family caregiver benefits''' are for people who can’t work because they’ve stepped away to care for or support a critically ill or injured family member. | |||
* '''Compassionate care benefits''' are for people who can’t work because they’ve stepped away to care for or support a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death within six months. | |||
* | * '''Benefits for parents of critically ill children''' are for eligible parents who take time off work to care for their critically ill or injured child. | ||
* | |||
* | |||
And there are '''fishing benefits''' for self-employed fishers who are actively seeking work. | |||
===Qualifying for EI benefits=== | |||
To qualify for '''EI regular benefits''', you must: | |||
=== | * in the last 52 weeks, have worked a minimum number of hours in work covered by the EI program | ||
* have lost your job through no fault of your own (you won't qualify if you were fired for misconduct or chose to quit when you had other options) | |||
* have gone seven straight days without work or pay from a particular employer | |||
The federal government website goes through these requirements, and who qualifies for the other types of EI benefits. [https://canada.ca/ei Visit the website]. | |||
EI | ===How much you might get on EI=== | ||
The amount of EI you get depends on the type of EI benefit, how much you’ve been earning, and where you live. | |||
For most people, the basic rate for calculating EI regular benefits is 55% of your pay, up to a maximum amount. The maximum amount changes over time. The federal government posts the current figure. [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/benefit-amount.html See their website]. | |||
In calculating your EI benefits, the government considers your gross earnings (before deductions), including tips and commissions. EI benefits are taxable income, so taxes are deducted. | |||
Your benefits may be reduced if you earn certain types of income during your benefit period. For example, income from self-employment. Other types of income won’t reduce your benefits, such as pension income from an RRSP or RRIF. | |||
The federal government provides a full list of income types, and how they affect EI benefits. [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/earnings-chart.html See the EI earnings chart]. | |||
You can work part-time and still get EI. Under the working while on claim rules, you keep 50 cents of EI benefits for every dollar you earn in wages, up to a maximum amount. | |||
==Apply for EI benefits== | |||
== | |||
=== | ===The steps involved=== | ||
Here are the steps to apply for EI benefits. | |||
'''Step 1'''. Gather your information | |||
'''Step 2'''. Apply for benefits | |||
'''Step 3'''. After you apply | |||
'''Step 4'''. If your application is denied, request a reconsideration | |||
'''Step 5'''. Appeal the reconsideration decision | |||
===More on each step=== | |||
'''Step 1. Gather your information'''<br> | |||
Collect all the documents and information you’ll need. These include: | |||
* your social insurance number | |||
* your government-issued ID | |||
* details of your most recent employment, including your salary and why you left | |||
* your record of employment (ROE), which is a form the employer prepares saying how long you worked for them and how much you earned | |||
'''Step 2. Apply for benefits'''<br> | |||
You should apply for EI as soon as you stop working. If you delay, you may lose benefits. | |||
To apply, you must start your application online. If you don’t have internet access at home, you can apply at a public internet access site, like a library. Here's the [https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/privacy-notice.html online application form]. | |||
'''Step 3. After you apply'''<br> | |||
If your application is approved, there may be a one-week waiting period for which you won’t be paid. | |||
If your application is denied, Service Canada will contact you by letter or phone to explain why. | |||
'''Step 4. If your application is denied, request a reconsideration'''<br> | |||
If your application is denied, your first step to challenge the decision is to request a reconsideration. There is no cost to do this. | |||
'''Step 5. Appeal the reconsideration decision'''<br> | |||
If you disagree with the decision made on your reconsideration request, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal. This is a body similar to a court. It hears appeals on pensions and benefits provided by the federal government. | |||
=== | ===Go deeper=== | ||
We have more detail on these steps if you want to go further. [https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/applying-employment-insurance/ See our in-depth information on applying for EI]. | |||
==Who can help== | |||
===Helpful agencies=== | |||
For help with applying for employment insurance benefits. | |||
:'''Service Canada''' | |||
:This federal government agency helps people access the employment insurance program. | |||
:Call 1-800-206-7218 | |||
:[https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact.html Visit website] | |||
=== | ===Legal advice=== | ||
There are options for free legal advice. | |||
:'''Lawyer Referral Service''' | |||
:Helps you connect with a lawyer for a complimentary 15-minute consult to see if you want to hire them. | |||
:Call 1-800-663-1919 | |||
:[https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service Visit website] | |||
:'''Access Pro Bono's Free Legal Advice''' | |||
:Volunteer lawyers provide 30 minutes of free legal advice to people with low or modest income. | |||
:Call 1-877-762-6664 | |||
:[https://www.accessprobono.ca/get-legal-help Visit website] | |||
:'''People’s Law School''' | |||
:See more options for free or low-cost legal help. | |||
:[https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/options-legal-help/?utm_source=beagle Visit website] | |||
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