Employment Insurance Canada: Everything You Need to Know

In Canada, Employment Insurance (EI) is a program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals who have lost their jobs, are unable to work due to illness or injury, or are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. Funded by premiums paid by employees and their employers, EI is administered by the federal government through Service Canada.

Who Is Eligible for EI?

To be eligible for EI, you must:

• Have worked at least 120 hours in the last 52 weeks
• Have lost your job through no fault of your own
• Be actively looking for work
• Be available to work
• Be ready and willing to start work immediately

If you were dismissed from your job for misconduct or voluntarily quit your job, you may not be eligible for EI.

How Do You Apply for EI?

You can apply for EI online, by phone, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. To apply, you will need to provide your Social Insurance Number, mailing address, and banking information for direct deposit.

If you are applying due to a job loss, you will also need to provide your Record of Employment (ROE), which your employer is required to provide within 5 days of your last day of work.

How Much EI Will You Receive?

The amount of EI you receive is based on your insurable earnings, which are the earnings on which you paid EI premiums. The basic rate for calculating EI benefits is 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount of $595 per week. The number of weeks you can receive benefits depends on the unemployment rate in your region and the number of hours you worked in the past year.

You can use Service Canada’s online EI calculator to estimate your weekly benefit amount.

How Long Will You Receive EI?

The length of time you can receive EI benefits depends on various factors, such as your regional unemployment rate and the number of hours you worked in the past year. Generally, you can receive EI for a maximum of 26 weeks, but some regions may qualify for an additional 5 weeks of benefits. If you are receiving sickness benefits or parental benefits, the maximum length of time you can receive benefits is 15 weeks and 35 weeks, respectively.

Can You Work While Receiving EI?

Yes, you can work while receiving EI, but your benefits will be reduced based on your earnings. For every dollar you earn above $50 per week, your benefits will be reduced by 50 cents. If you earn more than 90% of your previous weekly earnings, your benefits will be reduced dollar-for-dollar.

What Happens If You Are Denied EI?

If your application for EI is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. To do so, you must submit a Request for Reconsideration within 30 days of receiving your denial letter. If your Request for Reconsideration is also denied, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal within 30 days of receiving the decision.

Conclusion

Employment Insurance is an important program that provides temporary financial assistance to eligible individuals who have lost their jobs, are unable to work due to illness or injury, or are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. By understanding the eligibility requirements, application process, and benefits of EI, you can make the most of this valuable program and get back on your feet during a challenging time.

FAQ