Applying for Employment Insurance: Difference between revisions
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Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are temporary payments to people who lose their jobs, are between jobs, or cannot work for various reasons. For example, they may be sick or looking after a sick family member. They may be pregnant or have a new baby. | Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are temporary payments to people who lose their jobs, are between jobs, or cannot work for various reasons. For example, they may be sick or looking after a sick family member. They may be pregnant or have a new baby. | ||
The EI program is run by the federal government department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Its | The EI program is run by the federal government department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Its [http://www.esdc.gc.ca/ website] has general information, including a link to apply online. | ||
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 | 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]”. The “[http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/faq/faq_index_individuals.shtml Frequently Asked Questions]” (FAQ) section is a good starting point. 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. | ||
You can also call Service Canada at 1.800.206.7218. | You can also call Service Canada at 1.800.206.7218. | ||
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People living outside of Canada can receive benefits if their job is insured under the EI program. As of 2011, self-employed people can get special benefits (maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and parents of critically ill children) if they register and qualify. The script has more on this later. | People living outside of Canada can receive benefits if their job is insured under the EI program. As of 2011, self-employed people can get special benefits (maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and parents of critically ill children) if they register and qualify. The script has more on this later. | ||
Service Canada | Service Canada's [http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/index.shtml website] has more on benefit types. | ||
==Can you get EI?== | ==Can you get EI?== | ||
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#You worked the required number of insurable hours in the “qualifying period”. This is the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or the time since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter. The number of insurable hours required varies between 420 and 700 depending on where you live and the unemployment rate in your economic region when you apply. If you are new to the workforce or have been out of the workforce for 2 or more years, you may need at least 910 hours of insurable work in the qualifying period. | #You worked the required number of insurable hours in the “qualifying period”. This is the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or the time since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter. The number of insurable hours required varies between 420 and 700 depending on where you live and the unemployment rate in your economic region when you apply. If you are new to the workforce or have been out of the workforce for 2 or more years, you may need at least 910 hours of insurable work in the qualifying period. | ||
ESDC can extend the qualifying period up to 104 weeks if you could not work because you were: | :ESDC can extend the qualifying period up to 104 weeks if you could not work because you were: | ||
#ill, injured, quarantined, or pregnant, or | :#ill, injured, quarantined, or pregnant, or | ||
#in jail or penitentiary, or | :#in jail or penitentiary, or | ||
#attending an instructional course that esdc sent you on. | :#attending an instructional course that esdc sent you on. | ||
A longer qualifying period helps if you haven’t worked enough hours in the normal qualifying period—you can count hours you worked more than 52 weeks ago. You have to ask for an extension and show that you are in one of these categories. | :A longer qualifying period helps if you haven’t worked enough hours in the normal qualifying period—you can count hours you worked more than 52 weeks ago. You have to ask for an extension and show that you are in one of these categories. | ||
You also need at least 490 hours as a member of the labour force during the “labour force attachment period”—the 52 weeks right before the qualifying period. Being a member of the labour force means that you worked or received earnings, benefits, or compensation; participated in an approved training or other program; served a waiting period; or participated in a labour dispute. | :You also need at least 490 hours as a member of the labour force during the “labour force attachment period”—the 52 weeks right before the qualifying period. Being a member of the labour force means that you worked or received earnings, benefits, or compensation; participated in an approved training or other program; served a waiting period; or participated in a labour dispute. | ||
'''Other benefits'''—different rules apply to maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and fishing cases. The Service Canada website explains them. | '''Other benefits'''—different rules apply to maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and fishing cases. The Service Canada website explains them. | ||
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==How much will you get?== | ==How much will you get?== | ||
The maximum weekly benefit as of January 1, | The maximum weekly benefit as of January 1, 2016 is $537. Most people get 55% of their weekly average insurable earnings, up to a yearly maximum insurable amount. As of January 1, 2016, the maximum insurable amount is $50,800. Earnings include tips and commission and are before deductions. Benefits are taxable income, so taxes are deducted. | ||
Benefits are based on your highest weeks of earnings over the qualifying period, usually 52 weeks. The number of weeks used to calculate your benefits ranges from 14 to 22, depending on the unemployment rate in your | Benefits are based on your highest weeks of earnings over the qualifying period, usually 52 weeks. The number of weeks used to calculate your benefits ranges from 14 to 22, depending on the unemployment rate in your [http://srv129.services.gc.ca/eiregions/eng/rates_cur.aspx EI economic region]. | ||
You can get more if you are in a low-income family (annual income under $25,921) with children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit. Then you can get the Family Supplement (explained on the Service Canada website). | You can get more if you are in a low-income family (annual income under $25,921) with children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit. Then you can get the Family Supplement (explained on the Service Canada website). | ||
These amounts are based on Service Canada’s website as of | These amounts are based on Service Canada’s website as of May 2016. Rates change because they are reviewed each year, so check that website for current rates. Click “Employment Insurance” and then “Employment Insurance Regular Benefits”. | ||
EI benefits can be reduced if you receive other income during your benefit period, including: | EI benefits can be reduced if you receive other income during your benefit period, including: | ||
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*the part of a pension payable to a spouse in a legal separation or divorce. | *the part of a pension payable to a spouse in a legal separation or divorce. | ||
*a pension paid by Veterans Affairs Canada. | *a pension paid by Veterans Affairs Canada. | ||
*spousal support | |||
==Might you have to repay some EI?== | ==Might you have to repay some EI?== | ||
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==Can you work and still get EI regular and other benefits?== | ==Can you work and still get EI regular and other benefits?== | ||
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 | 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 6, 2016. | ||
These amounts can change, so check the Service Canada website for current figures. | These amounts can change, so check the Service Canada website for current figures. | ||
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*ensure the decision is consistent with the law and earlier decisions. | *ensure the decision is consistent with the law and earlier decisions. | ||
More details on the reconsideration process are available | More details on the reconsideration process are available [http://www.ei.gc.ca/eng/reconsideration.shtml here]. | ||
'''Appeal to 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 | '''Appeal to 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 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 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. | ||
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[updated | [updated May 2016] | ||
'''The above was last reviewed for accuracy by Dana Quantz and edited by John Blois.''' | |||
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