Canada. Employment Insurance

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Canada. Employment Insurance

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Record #: MET4764

Last Full Update: 16 Aug 2022

Memos and Bulletins

Public Comments

As of December 3, 2017, eligible pregnant workers will be able to receive EI maternity benefits up to 12 weeks before their due date * parents can choose to receive parental benefits over a period of 12 months at the current benefit rate, or up to 18 months at a lower benefit rate

Contact Information

Office Phone	English 1-800-206-7218, French 1-800-808-6352; Automated Telephone Reporting Service -- English 1-800-531-7555, French 1-800-431-5595; Social Security Tribunal 1-877-227-8577
TTY Phone	Toll free 1-800-529-3742
Website	www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

Description and Service Details

Description (Service)	Service Overview Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment claimants must conduct a reasonable job search to remain eligible Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings maximum weekly benefit $638 duration of benefits based on insured weeks of work and regional unemployment rate Working While on Claim claimants keep 50 cents of EI benefits for every dollar earned in wages, up to a maximum of 90% of weekly earnings claimants may choose instead to earn up to 40% of regular benefits or $75 per week (whichever is higher) with no reduction in EI payment Family Supplement for low income families who receive the Canada Child Benefit (see separate entry) amount based on annual net family income supplement will be added to EI payment Special benefits 26 weeks sickness benefits 26 weeks compassionate care benefits 35 weeks for family caregivers to care for critically ill or injured children, and 15 weeks to care for critically ill or injured adults 15 weeks maternity benefits 40 weeks standard parental, 69 weeks extended parental benefits available to natural, legal or adoptive parents -- benefits can be shared by both parents Claimants may be able to receive combination of special benefits My Service Canada Account computer access to claim information Social Security Tribunal, 1-877-227-8577 independent appeal process for Employment Insurance decisions Job Bank www.jobbank.gc.ca online employment information and job postings employers can post jobs online Program of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada
Hours	Recorded information Mon-Sun 24 hours call Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm to speak to an agent
Areas Served	Canada
Eligibility	Persons legally entitled to work in Canada who have an interruption of earnings due to shortage of work, injury, quarantine, pregnancy, adoption, personal illness, or a grave illness in the family Claimants must have worked a minimum of 420-700 hours (depending on region) of insured employment in the year prior to application (600 hours for maternity, parental, sickness or compassionate care benefits) workers 65 years and older pay Employment Insurance (EI) premiums and are entitled to EI benefits, though income from employment-related pensions will be deducted Claimants who quit a job without just cause or are fired for misconduct are ineligible for regular benefits * just cause includes discrimination, sexual harassment, dangerous working conditions, significant change in wages or salary, leaving to care for child or immediate family member, major changes in work duties Residency Requirements: Canada
Application	Application must be made online or in person at Service Canada sites -- see separate entries Application and Records of Employment from previous employers should be submitted immediately after employment has ended, as delay may cause loss of benefits the first week of the claim is a waiting period for which no benefits are paid claimants' reports must be correctly completed to generate payment, but claimants of maternity and parental, parents of critically ill children, or compassionate care benefits do not need to complete reports
Languages	English, French
Fees	None

Site Information

Located In Community	Toronto
Address & Map	Toronto, ON Canada
Physical Access	Not Applicable

Categories and Classification

HCSD Main Heading	Income Programs
HCSD Sub Heading	Employment Insurance (EI) ; Social Assistance
Service Categories	Employment Insurance ; Job Information

Agency Overview

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