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Employment Insurance (EI) frequently asked questions
- What is the online EI application?
- What are the minimum system requirements for the online application?
- Is it secure for me to apply online for EI?
- Is the online EI application easy to use?
- How do I retrieve a partially completed application using my temporary password?
- What happens if I forget my temporary password or if it has expired?
- Is it always the best option to reactivate an existing claim?
- If my claim is automatically reactivated, will I have to complete another application when my benefits run out?
- Do I always need to submit my Record of Employment (ROE) to my Service Canada Centre?
- What do Macintosh users need to know about dropdown lists and accented words in the online EI application?
- How do I submit my Record(s) of Employment or other documents when I apply online?
- How does Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) prevent fraud when I apply online for EI?
- What can I expect to have happen shortly after I apply online?
- If I submit my EI application online, will I be paid faster?
- Do I have to print off my application?
- How do I know if my online EI application has been received?
- What can I do if I am experiencing technical problems while using the online EI application?
- What is the online EI application?
The online EI application is a Web site available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week where you can apply for your EI. It allows you to apply at your own convenience from anywhere you have access to the World Wide Web. Once you have completed the application, it is transmitted electronically to your Service Canada Centre for processing.
top - What are the minimum system requirements for the online application?
The operating systems and browsers listed below have been tested and work best with the online application.
- PC — Windows 98 or higher
- Internet Explorer 5.0 and up with 128 bit encryption
- Netscape 6.1 and up with 128 bit encryption
- Mac — OS X
- Internet Explorer 5.2.2. and up with 128 bit encryption
- Netscape 6.22 with 128 bit encryption
Note: The online application is not accessible to "Beta" web browsers — a "Beta" product is one that is still in development, but is published for evaluation purposes.
The application for EI benefits online is accessible with JavaScript disabled on the Web browser. However, the application has been tested and works best with JavaScript enabled. - Is it secure for me to apply online for EI?
Yes, your information is protected with the same level of security used by banks for their online services.
top - Is the online EI application easy to use?
Yes, just follow the step-by-step instructions. Our online help feature offers you additional information.
top - How do I retrieve a partially completed application using my temporary password ?
To retrieve a partially completed application, within the 24 hour period, you must enter your personal information and your password — 8 characters - numbers and letters separated mid-way by a dash, for example, 34HG-29JP — as requested in the «Security Information screen». The information will be validated and you will be given access to your partially completed application. You must enter your personal information exactly as it was originally entered, for example, if you used all capital letters the first time you must use all capital letters once again, and you must enter your password exactly as given. If you fail to enter the information in exactly the same manner you will not be able to access your partially completed application. After 2 unsuccessful log-in attempts the system will delete your partial application and you will be required to start a new one.
top - What happens if I forget my temporary password or if it has expired?
If your password is invalid, was not correctly noted, or expired, more than 24 hours have elapsed since it was issued, you will have to start a new application.
top - Is it always the best option to reactivate an existing claim?
In certain situations it may be to your advantage to cancel or end your old claim and start a new one instead. If you are interested in doing so, please contact us within 30 days. To know more on the duration of a benefit period...
top - If my claim is automatically reactivated, will I have to complete another application when my benefits run out?
If there are 4 weeks or less payable on your claim and you have not worked since we reactivated it, you will not need to complete another application. In all other cases, you will have to reapply once you receive your final payment notice.
top - Do I always need to submit my Record of Employment (ROE) to my Service Canada Centre?
All paper copies of your ROEs from the last 52 weeks must be submitted without delay to your Service Canada Centre. Your claim cannot be finalized without the original ROEs being on file. If your employer submits your ROE to Service Canada electronically, you do not need to submit a copy of your ROE to Service Canada, since we will have received it 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.
top - What do Macintosh users need to know about dropdown lists and accented words in the online EI application?
Words that are accented, i.e. Québec, in the French dropdown lists, i.e. provinces, normal earnings, do not appear. A blank field appears in the place of the accented word. However, using the arrow keys will display the entire menu or clicking on the blank field registers the missing information in the application.
top - How do I submit my Record(s) of Employment or other documents when I apply online?
You can mail them, or drop them off in person to your Service Canada Centre.
top - How does Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) prevent fraud when I apply online for EI?
HRSDC has put in place a number of safeguards to prevent fraud. For example, if you use our online service to apply for EI, you will be asked to provide us with your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your name, your mother's maiden name, your date of birth and your gender before you access the actual EI application. This information is then verified against the data contained on your SIN record. You may also be sent a notice requiring you to attend a group information session where you will be required to produce photo identification.
top - What can I expect to have happen shortly after I apply online?
Shortly after applying for EI, you will receive a Benefit statement in the mail indicating your Access code and the date your first 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 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.
top - If I submit my EI application online, will I be paid faster?
Regardless of the way you apply for EI benefits, whether in-person, by mail or using our online service, we are committed to process your claim within the same time period. This means that if we have all the required information and you qualify, your payment will be issued usually within 28 days from the date of filing your claim.
top - Do I have to print off my application?
No, your application is submitted electronically to your Service Canada Centre.
top - How do I know if my online EI application has been received?
You will receive a confirmation number acknowledging your online EI application has been received successfully by your Service Canada Centre that you can note or print, if desired.
top - What can I do if I am experiencing technical problems while using the online EI application?
If you have any questions or problems related to our online EI application service, please call our telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press"0" to talk to a representative. Please note that if you are using a phone line to access the Internet, and you exit to call us before completing and submitting the online application, you can use your temporary password to retrieve your partially completed application. How do I retrieve my application...
