Difference between revisions of "Timing for Reporting on Employment Insurance (8:X)"

Individuals should pay special attention to report due dates. Each claim has its own due dates, and the specific timing for meeting these due dates can differ between the telephone, internet and paper systems. For example, all Telephone Reporting Service reports made on the weekend are processed at 3:00 p.m. Sunday.

Claimants must complete their reports throughout the claim period whether or not they are receiving benefits (for example, during the waiting period or a period of disqualification). When an appeal is pending, reports must continue to be made because if the appeal is successful, the claimant may find that there will be no payment for any week for which no report has been made (''EI Regulations'', s 26).

Individuals on pregnancy, parental, and sickness benefits should continue to make reports, noting that they are incapable of work and explaining  the reason, whether pregnancy, parental, or illness. However, the Commission may exempt people claiming pregnancy and parental benefits from making reports provided that they promise to report to the Commission any relevant changes.

Unlike employees, self-employed people and independent contractor are not automatically covered by the EI system.  These workers have the option of opting into the EI system, in which case they may be entitled to receive certain special benefits, but not regular benefits.   

Even though self-employed people and independent contractors are not automatically covered by the EI system, claimants may get into trouble if they try to start up a business while collecting EI after losing their job.     Contrary to many claimants’ belief, self-employment amounts to “working” within the meaning of the question on the weekly reports even if the person has no expectation of receiving any income from it. Section 30 of the EI Regulations provides that, in most cases, a claimant engaged in self-employment is deemed to have worked a full week, unless the self-employment is “so minor in extent that a person would not normally follow it as a principal means of livelihood”. Failure to report such activity will usually lead to overpayments and penalties or charges for misrepresentation.  Decisions by the Commission on overpayment and/or the imposition of penalties should always be appealed

If a claimant wishes to start a business while on EI, he or she should contact the Commission before doing anything to pursue self-employment. Special benefits may be available if the claimant enters an approved self-employment agreement for the development and implementation of a business plan.