Wage Earner Protection Program
The Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) compensates eligible workers for unpaid wages, vacation, severance 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 compensation payment of the equivalent of four weeks of insurable Employment Insurance (EI) earnings ($3,531 for 2012), minus amounts prescribed by regulations.
Delivered by: Service Canada on behalf of the Labour Program
Special Message Regarding the Blockbuster Canada Bankruptcy
Blockbuster Canada was placed under receivership on May 3, 2011. The company has since declared bankruptcy on October 12, 2011.
Former workers of Blockbuster Canada who had submitted an application for WEPP under the company's receivership are encouraged to reapply for WEPP under the bankruptcy estate as you may be eligible for payment.
If you had previously received a decision on a WEPP claim and have requested a review of this decision, you can expect to receive a letter shortly regarding your Request for Review from the Labour Program. You should however still re-apply for WEPP under the bankruptcy.
IMPORTANT: Recent legislative changes to the WEPP
Eligibility Information
- Am I eligible for the WEPP?
- What is the eligibility period?
- What are eligible wages under the WEPP?
- Do I qualify for the WEPP if I am related to my employer?
- Do I qualify for the WEPP if I worked for the receiver or trustee?
- Am I still eligible for the WEPP if I have received a partial payment from the trustee or receiver?
- Am I eligible for the WEPP if I am a foreign worker?
- What should I do 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 online for the WEPP?
- What can I do if I am experiencing technical problems while using the online application for the WEPP?
- How does Service Canada confirm my identify when I apply online 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?
- Should I report the receipt of my WEPP payment to Employment Insurance (EI)?
- If the payment I receive under the WEPP does not cover all the eligible wages I am owed, what recourse do I have?
- What should I do if I am owed wages prior to the eligibility period preceding receivership/bankruptcy?
- What is the "prescribed reduction" of 6.82%?
- What does the term "subrogration" mean?
- Can my WEPP payment be affected by a Family Order Agreement (FOA)?
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?
- Where can I obtain a WEPP pamphlet?
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 bankruptcy and/or receivership discharge information?
- Is the Government of Canada required to file a proof of claim with trustees/receivers for the purpose of recovering WEPP payments from the estate or property?
- What do trustees/receivers need to know about the Monthly Statement of Account?
- Questions and Answers for Trustees and Receivers
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?
Related Programs and Services