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Employment Insurance (EI) frequently asked questions
- Is your employment insurable?
- How and where do I apply for EI benefits?
- How do I request EI payments on behalf of a deceased person?
- When should I apply for EI?
- Can I reactivate an old claim?
- What information/documents will I be asked for when I apply?
- I have tried several times to obtain my Record of Employment (ROE) from my employer without success. What can I do?
- How long do I have to work to be eligible to collect EI?
- How long can I receive EI?
- How much can I receive?
- How do I receive my EI payment?
- When should I expect my first payment?
- How do I get EI deposited directly into my bank account?
- How do I declare that I have returned to work full time?
- How do I inform you about my change of address or modifications to my Direct Deposit?
- How does working while collecting EI affect the duration of a claim?
- What is the EI premium rate and how does it affect me?
- What are the earnings that may affect my EI payment?
- Can I get EI if I quit my job?
- Can I get EI if I am fired from my job?
- How can I contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)?
- How can I replace my Access Code?
- Is interest charged on EI debts?
- Can deductions be taken from my EI Benefits if I owe money to a person, company or a government agency?
- Is your employment insurable?
To know if your employment is among the insurable employments and if EI premiums should be deducted, refer to Canada Revenue Agency .
top - How and where do I apply for EI benefits?
To receive EI benefits you must submit an EI application online or in person at your Service Canada Centre.
- How do I request EI payments on behalf of a deceased person?
If you are the person entitled to succeed to the property of the deceased person, you have to complete the form “Request for payment of benefit on behalf of a deceased person”. You might have to provide these documents: a copy of a court-approved will or a notarized will and a copy of a death certificate. The Social Insurance card of the deceased person must be returned. To know more...
- When should I apply for EI?
Be sure to apply as soon as you stop working even if you don’t have your Records of Employment. Delaying in filing your claim for benefits beyond 4 weeks after your last day of work may cause loss of benefits.
If your employers issue ROEs in paper format, you must request ROEs from all your employers who issued ROEs in paper format in the last 52 weeks. However, if your employer submits your ROE to Service Canada electronically, you do not need to request a paper copy of your ROE from your employer since we will receive it electronically from your employer. On the same day your employer submits it, you will be able to view and print copies of your ROE online using My Service Canada Account.
- Can I reactivate an old claim?
If you filed a claim for benefits within the last 52 weeks, you may be able to reactivate this claim. You can submit your application online or in person at your Service Canada Centre. To know more...
top - What information/documents will I be asked for when I apply?
- your Social Insurance Number (SIN). If your SIN begins with a 9, you need to supply proof of your immigration status and work permit.
- a Record of Employment - If your employers issue ROEs in paper format, you must request ROEs from all your employers who issued ROEs in paper format in the last 52 weeks. However, if your employer submits your ROE to Service Canada electronically, you do not need to request a paper copy of your ROE from your employer since we will receive it electronically from your employer. On the same day your employer submits it, you will be able to view and print copies of your ROE online using My Service Canada Account;
- personal identification such as your driver's license, birth certificate or passport if you are applying in person;
- your complete bank information, as shown on your bank statement or a personalized blank cheque from your current account. This will ensure that your payment of benefits will be made directly to your bank account with Direct Deposit;
- your detailed version of facts if you have quit or have been dismissed from any job in the last 52 weeks;
- a medical certificate indicating how long your incapacity is expected to last, if you are applying for sickness benefits;
- details regarding your most recent employment :
your total salary before deductions including tips and commissions, your salary before deductions for your last week of work, from Sunday to the last day worked, gross amounts received or to be received: vacation pay, severance pay, pension, pay in lieu of notice or lay of and other monies.
- I have tried several times to obtain my Record of Employment (ROE) from my employer without success. What can I do?
If you are having difficulty obtaining your ROE(s) from your employer(s), we can help. Go to your Service Canada Centre or contact us at 1 800 206-7218. One of our agents will advise you how the ROE can be obtained or what is needed to calculate your claim.
top - How long do I have to work to be eligible to collect EI?
In most cases you must have worked a minimum of 420 to 700 insurable hours, depending on where you live in Canada and the unemployment rate in your economic region at the time of filing your claim. In some instances, you will need 910 insurable hours to qualify, to know more...
- How long can I receive EI?
You can receive EI from 19 weeks up to a maximum of 50 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your region at the time of filing your claim and the amount of insurable hours you have accumulated in the last 52 weeks or since your last claim, whichever is shorter.
The "Improved Duration of Employment Insurance (EI) Regular Benefits" initiative increases the duration of regular benefits. This temporary initiative applies to all claims whose benefit period has not ended before March 1, 2009, and whose benefit period does not begin after September 11, 2010.
top - How much can I receive?
The basic benefit rate is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a yearly maximum insurable amount of $43,200. This means you can receive a maximum payment of $457 per week. Your EI payment is a taxable income, meaning federal and provincial or territorial, if it applies, taxes will be deducted.
You could receive a higher benefit rate if you are in a low-income family — an income of less than $25,921 — with children and you receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB), your are entitled to the Family Supplement.
- How do I receive my EI payment?
Shortly after applying for EI, you will receive a Benefit statement in the mail indicating your Access code and the date your first claimant's report is due. Keep in mind that this does not mean that a decision has been made yet on your claim. Along with your Benefit statement you will also receive instructions on how to complete your report with our Internet reporting service or our Telephone reporting service. If you cannot complete your reports by Internet or by telephone, you will need to complete and mail them to us. To find out how to complete your report by mail, just follow these step-by-step instructions.
- When should I expect my first payment?
If we have all the required information and if you qualify for benefits, your payment will be issued usually within 28 days from the date we receive your application. If you do not qualify, we will notify you of the decision made on your claim.
- How do I get EI deposited directly into my bank account?
Generally when you use our Internet Reporting service or our Telephone reporting service with Direct Deposit, your payment is deposited directly to your bank account usually 2 business days after you submit your report.
To apply for Direct Deposit, you need your complete bank account information, as shown on your cheque or bank statement. Once you have this information:
- Go to My Employment Insurance (EI) Information online. After you login to My EI Information online, select “My Information” from the left menu bar then select “Change direct deposit information” to complete the direct deposit information required; or
- Call our Telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press "0". A service representative will then ask you to provide your bank account information; or
- Print and complete an application for Direct Deposit and mail it or bring it to your Service Canada Centre.
- How do I declare that I have returned to work full time?
As you complete your report, whether it is through the reporting service online, or the telephone reporting service, or by mail, you are asked if you have begun working full time. Answer "yes" and indicate the exact date you started full time work. In certain situations, you will also have to supply the dates and the number of working hours, your employer’s phone number, and your gross salary, total earnings before deductions, including tips and commissions. Thereafter you will not have to submit a report anymore.
If you are receiving maternity, parental or compassionate care benefits and are returning to working full time before your benefits end, you must inform us by calling our Telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press "0" to speak to a representative. You may also provide the date of your return to work in writing or in person at your Service Canada Centre.
top - How do I inform you about my change of address or modifications to my Direct Deposit?
If your bank account information changes or if you move, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible. You can update your mailing address, telephone number and direct deposit information by using My Employment Insurance (EI)Information online. Please note that updates to your personal information can only be accepted during the service times for your province or territory of residence, as indicated below:
- Altantic Canada: from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm Atlantic Standard Time (ATS) Monday to Friday and from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm AST Saturday and Sunday.
- Quebec: from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) Monday to Friday and from 6:00 am to 4:30 pm (EST) Saturday.
- Ontario: from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) Monday to Friday, from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm EST Saturday and from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST) Sunday.
- Western Canada: from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm Central Time (CT) Monday to Friday and from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm (CT) Saturday and Sunday.
If you are not able to provide this information using the Internet you can call our Telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press "0" to speak to a representative. You can also write to or visit your Service Canada Centre.
- How does working while collecting EI affect the duration of a claim?
If you start working before you finish your current EI claim, you must tell us so we can adjust or stop your claim, depending on whether the work is full-time, part-time or by contract. If the work is short-term or contract you may re-activate your EI claim and continue to receive your bi-weekly payments when you are laid off.
The maximum period of time in which you can carry out one claim is 52 weeks. An EI claim will end if:- all EI to which you are eligible have been paid; or
- the 52 week duration is reached; or
- you request and qualify for the termination of your claim.
To start a new claim you must work the minimum number of insurable hours required for regular benefits. The number of minimum hours depends on where you live and the unemployment rate in your economic region at the time of filing your claim.
- What is the EI premium rate and how does it affect me?
As of January 1st, 2010 you must pay EI premiums on all your earnings up to the annual maximum salary of $43,200. The EI premium rate is set to $1.73 for every $100 of salary until $43,200 has been reached. The maximum contribution amount will be $747.36.
As for employees working in Quebec, the EI premium rate is set to $1.36 for every $100 of salary until $43,200 has been reached. The maximum contribution amount will be $587.52 for these individuals.
There is no age limit for deducting EI premiums. In fact, if you are working in insurable employment, your employer deducts from you salary the applicable EI premiums, whatever your age. To know more on payroll deductions...
To know more about EI premiums for 2010…
To know more about EI premiums for 2009…
top - What are the earnings that may affect my EI payment?
Earnings paid or payable by your employer at the end of your employment, while you are receiving benefits or later for a period that benefits were claimed, generally affect payment of your benefits. To know more…
- Can I get EI if I quit my job?
Generally, when you voluntarily quit your job without just cause, you will not be paid regular benefits. After quitting your job, you must work the required minimum number of insurable hours to get regular benefits. However, you may still be paid maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits as long as you qualify for these benefits. To know more...
- Can I get EI if I am fired from my job?
Generally, when you are fired from your job due to your own misconduct you will not be paid regular benefits. After losing that job, you must work the required minimum number of insurable hours to get regular benefits. However, you may still be paid maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits as long as you qualify for these benefits. To know more...
- How can I contact Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)?
You may contact us by calling our Telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using your touch-tone phone, it is possible to obtain general information about the Employment Insurance (EI) program, Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), as well as the address of your Service Canada Centre.
You can also get detailed information on your EI claim with your SIN and your Access code. - How can I replace my Access code?
You can call our Telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press "0" to speak to a representative or go to your Service Canada Centre. In both cases, questions will be asked to verify your identity and a new Access code will be reissued.
top - Is interest charged on EI debts?
Yes, interest is charged, but only on debts resulting from fraud. To know more...
top - Can deductions be taken from my EI Benefits if I owe money to a person, company or a government agency?
Deductions can never be taken for money owed to a person or company. However, deductions can be taken from your EI benefits to repay money you owe, if:
you received an overpayment from EI;
you received an advance or assistance from the Government of Canada or any of its agencies, a provincial or municipal government, or any other authority and an arrangement has been taken with EI for the deduction. Your consent must be given in writing to the deduction and payment by EI. Example: you received an advance from a Social Services agency while waiting for your EI benefits to start;
the Department of Justice issued a court order, according to the Family Orders and Agreements (FOA) Enforcement Assistance Act. Your EI benefits are garnished and forwarded to the Department of Justice that ensures payment to your spouse / dependants, according to the existing court order.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may collect taxes owing according to the Income Tax Act, the Excise Tax Act or other provisions enforced by the CRA. Any taxes owing to federal or provincial governments may be garnished from your EI benefits.
