Introduction to Employment Insurance (8:I)

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A. Keeping Up to Date on Changes to Employment Insurance

When working with an EI claim, always ensure that you are working with the most updated information. Consult Service Canada’s Employment Insurance website before proceeding.

1. Electronic Developments and EI

The internet can now be used at many different stages of the EI process. An applicant can apply for EI benefits online. In addition, using the “MyEI information on-line” an applicant is able to make changes to their personal information, view claim information, and review previous EI claims. The “Internet Reporting Service” allows a claimant to submit their EI reports online; these records are required to demonstrate entitlement.

An employer can submit Records of Employment online.

The “Epass” system creates an easier way to communicate with government services via the internet.

B. General Information

Employment Insurance (EI) is a contributory federal social insurance scheme that pays benefits to eligible workers who lose their jobs or who cannot work due to illness, pregnancy or due to responsibilities for a newborn or newly-adopted child, an ill family member, or person who considers the claimant to be like a family member. Service Canada and the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (the Commission) administer and act as the registry for the system.

Under the Employment Insurance Act, RSC 1996, c.23 [EI Act], both employees and employers are required to contribute to the payment of premiums. A claimant is not automatically entitled to benefits for loss of employment because he or she paid premiums. Certain criteria (see [[Qualifying for Employment Insurance (8:III) | Section III: Qualifying for EI) must be met before benefits are payable.

The EI regime is a multi-tiered system.The list immediately below shows the progression of decisions and appeals under the regime:

  • a) decision made by an agent of the Commission affecting the Claimant, employer, and the Commission itself;
  • b) party applies to the Commission for Reconsideration of the Commission’s decision;
  • c) party appeals to the Employment Insurance section of the General Division of the SST (Social Security Tribunal);
  • d) party appeals decision of the General Division to the Appeal Division of the SST;
  • e) in exceptional cases, claimant applies to Federal Court of Appeal to set aside decision of SST;
  • f) in exceptional cases, claimant appeals court’s decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. (Cases will usually only proceed to the Supreme Court of Canada if the disputed issue is of national significance).

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