New Benefit Warrant Design
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Employment Insurance (EI) frequently asked questions
- I received information about a change to the EI benefit warrant. Why is it changing?
- When will I first see the new EI benefit warrant?
- What will the new EI warrant look like?
- Why are there 2 numbers on the back of the benefit warrant?
- How will my bank know that EI has changed the appearance of their benefit warrant?
- Why is the new benefit warrant larger than the old one?
- Will my bank still cash an EI benefit warrant in the old format? Is there an alternate way that I can receive my EI payment?
- I received information about a change to the EI benefit warrant. Why is it changing?
Employment Insurance is changing its warrants to match changes in banking industry standards. The change in format will increase the security of your benefit warrant. For example, your address will show in the window of a standard letter-sized mailing envelope on plain white paper. This makes it more difficult to see what is inside.
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When will I first see the new EI benefit warrant?
The new EI benefit warrant will be issued starting in February 2007.
topWhat will the new EI warrant look like?
The new warrant format will be 8.5 x 11” with 3 detachable sections.- The top portion will be the address label.
- The middle portion —the stub— will provide details of the benefit warrant.
- The bottom portion will be the actual benefit warrant.
- The date will be printed in numbers format only —YYYY/MM/DD.
- The amount will be printed in full text in both official languages, French and English, so that it will be harder to change.
- The client’s name and address will appear on a plain white background in the window of the mailing envelope. This format will make it harder to see the content within the envelope.
Why are there 2 numbers on the back of the benefit warrant?
The number on the right is the inventory control number printed by the supplier to ensure that all warrants are accounted for. The number on the left is a repeat of the payment reference number printed on the front of the warrant. This will confirm that when we request and receive images back from the financial institutions, that both the front and back images are for the same benefit warrant.
topHow will my bank know that EI has changed the appearance of their benefit warrant?
All financial institutions are aware of this change. Financial institutions have been a part of the new benefit warrant design process and have the required information to validate the new EI benefit warrant.
topWhy is the new benefit warrant larger than the old one?
The benefit warrant size was increased to add an additional security feature. The larger benefit warrant provides the extra space needed, since the warrant amount is now printed in full text in both official languages, French and English.
topWill my bank still cash an EI benefit warrant in the old format?
Yes, you can still cash an EI benefit warrant in the old format.
topIs there an alternate way that I can receive my EI payment?
Yes, as an alternative, you can receive your EI benefits by direct deposit. The Telephone Reporting Service or the Internet Reporting Service and Direct Deposit are our standard ways of processing and paying your EI benefits. Would you consider applying for direct deposit now?
How Direct Deposit works:- your payment is deposited directly to your bank account 2 business days after you complete your report using the telephone reporting service or the Internet Reporting Service.
- The deposit to your bank account is your record of payment.