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Wage Earner Protection Program
The Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) reimburses eligible workers for unpaid wages, vacation pay, severance pay and termination pay they are owed when their employer declares bankruptcy or becomes subject to a receivership under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
There is a maximum payment of the equivalent of four weeks of insurable Employment Insurance (EI) earnings (approximately $3,253), minus amounts prescribed by regulations. The WEPP does not cover non-wage benefits such as dental insurance.
Delivered by: Service Canada on behalf of the Labour Program
Recent legislative changes to the WEPP
Eligibility Information
- Am I eligible for the WEPP?
- What are eligible wages?
- Do I qualify for the WEPP if I am related to my employer?
- Do I qualify for the WEPP if I am currently working for the receiver or trustee?
- Am I still eligible for the WEPP if I have received a partial payment from the trustee?
- Am I eligible for the WEPP if I am a foreign worker?
- What steps should I take if there is no trustee or receiver appointed in my employer's bankruptcy or receivership?
Application Information
- How do I apply for the WEPP?
- What information/documents/forms do I need to apply for the WEPP?
- How do I request a review of my decision?
Forms
- How do I apply on-line for the WEPP?
- What can I do if I am experiencing technical problems while using the on-line application for the WEPP?
- How does Service Canada confirm my identify when I apply on-line for the WEPP?
Financial Information
- How much will I receive?
- When will I receive my payment?
- What should I do if I disagree with the amount the trustee/receiver thinks is owed to me?
- What should I do if I do not receive my payment?
- Will the WEPP affect my Employment Insurance benefits?
- If the payment I receive under the WEPP does not cover all the wages I am owed, what recourse do I have?
- What steps should I take if I am owed wages prior to the six (6) months preceding receivership/bankruptcy?
- What is the "prescribed reduction" of 6.82%?
- What does the term “subrogration” mean?
Tax Slip Information
Date and Deadlines
Contact Information
- How do I contact the Wage Earner Protection Program?
- Where do lawyers serve documents regarding a legal proceeding in relation to WEPP?
Information for Trustees / Receivers
- How do trustees/receivers register with the Wage Earner Protection Program?
- How do trustees/receivers know when Service Canada has paid a WEPP Claim?
- Where do trustees/receivers send their WEPP dividend payments?
- Where do trustees/receivers send the discharge information?
- Is the Government of Canada required to file a proof of claim with trustees/receivers for the purpose of issuing WEPP payments to applicants?
Printing the Trustee/Receiver Information Form is strongly discouraged because this form can be revised/updated as a result of a change in the legislation or policy. As such, printed forms could quickly become outdated.
Related Information
- How do I request a WEPP payment on behalf of a deceased person?
- Where can I find information on the WEPP legislation and policy?
