Canada. Employment Insurance
Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment
able-bodied claimants must be seeking employment to remain eligible
Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings up to a maximum insurable amount of $42,300 in 2009
maximum weekly benefit $447
claimants may earn up to 25% of regular benefits or $50 per week (whichever is higher) without a reduction in EI payment
duration of benefits based on insured weeks of work and regional unemployment rate
My EI Information Online -- computer access to claim information
Family Supplement -- for low income families who receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (see separate entry)
amount based on annual net family income up to $25,921
entitlement will be added to EI payment
Reachback -- employment assessment and counselling for persons returning to work
includes persons with active EI claims, with a claim that has ended within the last 3 years, or with a maternity/paternity claim that has ended in the past 5 years
Special benefits -- 15 weeks sickness benefits
6 weeks compassionate care benefits
15 weeks maternity benefits
35 weeks parental benefits available to natural, legal or adoptive parents -- benefits can be shared by both parents
claimants may be able to receive combination of special benefits up to 71 weeks total
Any claimant or former employer of a claimant who disagrees with a claim decision may appeal to a Board of Referees
Job Bank www.jobbank.gc.ca -- online employment information and job postings
employers wishing to list employment opportunities call 1-866-789-1297, fax 1-866-664-2534
Program of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada
Eligibility
Persons legally entitled to work in Canada who have an interruption of earnings due to shortage of work, injury, quarantine, pregnancy, adoption, personal illness, or a grave illness in the family.
Claimants must have worked a minimum of between 420 and 700 hours (depending on region) of insured employment in the year prior to application (600 hours for maternity, parental, sickness or compassionate care benefits) * a minimum of 910 hours of insured employment required if entering workforce for the first time, or if re-entering the workforce after more than a 2-year absence * workers 65 years and older pay EI premiums and are entitled to EI benefits, though income from employment-related pensions will be deducted
Claimants who quit a job without just cause or are fired for misconduct are ineligible for regular benefits * just cause includes discrimination, sexual harassment, working conditions that constitute a danger to health and safety, significant modification of terms and conditions respecting wages or salary, leaving to care for child or immediate family member, major changes in work duties
Claimants who quit a job without just cause or are fired for misconduct are ineligible for regular benefits * just cause includes discrimination, sexual harassment, working conditions that constitute a danger to health and safety, significant modification of terms and conditions respecting wages or salary, leaving to care for child or immediate family member, major changes in work duties
Application
Application forms available online, by phone or in person at Service Canada sites – see separate entries.
Records of Employment from previous employers should be submitted immediately after employment has ended, to have the claim considered from the last day worked * the first 2 weeks of the claim are a waiting period for which no benefits are paid * claimants' report cards must be correctly completed to generate payment
Fees
None
Accessibility
Fully Accessible
Languages
English; French
Primary Contact Person
Lorie Corby, Manager Corporate / In-Person Services
Areas Served
Ontario
Agency Type
Federal Government