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Welcome to UnemploymentCanada.ca

This blogsite is created by a team of knowledgeable Employment Insurance program experts. Our goal is to provide general information on the Canadian Employment Insurance program. For unemployed people to better understand their rights on EI and provide helpful resources for them to succeed during their career transition.

Please be advised that this site is not a government website.
It is created to provide general pension information only.

EI topics

EI claim processing wait time (latest 2023 update)

Latest EI claim processing timeframe *NEW Follow-up the status of your EI claim (a.k.a Callback) A callback request is sent by call centre agent when EI claimant tries to follow-up the status of their delayed EI claim. You must allow up to 5 business days after the date your request was initiated, for someone from processing office to... ...

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How much EI will I receive?

EI weekly benefits estimation EI maximum insurable earnings is $51,700 since January 1st, 2018. This means any earning above will be cap at the maximum weekly benefit of $547. Remember, your EI benefits are taxable, you will receive T4E for tax your CRA declaration. Generally speaking, you can estimate your EI weekly benefits by multiplying... ...

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Can I take vacation while on EI?

Can I travel within or outside Canada while on EI? Yes you can! Unlike many rumors out there that says you are not allowed to go on vacation, you are permitted to do so as long as you declare in your EI report that you are “away” or “not available to look for work”. By... ...

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Studying / Going to school while on EI

It is not a problem receiving EI benefits while studying as long as you have demonstrated the following: You must show that you are unemployed, able and willing to work and actively looking for suitable work. You must show, without a doubt, that taking a course is not an obstacle to your active job search... ...

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How to easily speak to EI call centre agent

Call Instructions Service Canada EI call centre phone number: 1-800-206-7218 A way to quickly reach to a call centre agent is through the following steps: Once you called in and listened to the system message, press 1 for English or 2 for French. You will hear a general EI message (female voice). Wait until the... ...

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What if my employer refuse to issue my ROE?

An employer may refuse to issue your Record of Employment (ROE) when you were separated from work due to conflict reasons. This is illegal. According to CRA, every employer has the obligation to issue the ROE to their employee within 5 days after the employee’s work separation. If an employer failed to issue the ROE,... ...

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How to change my address for Employment Insurance

You must notify EI processing office if you moved You must update your new home address if you have moved to a new residence. EI processing or Service Canada Integrity office may send you a letter from time to time to confirm your residence. If you moved and did not respond to the letter’s request,... ...

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Service Canada Holidays Closures

Please be advised that the Federal Government EI offices (call centre and in-person) will be closed to the general public on Monday December 26th and Tuesday December 27th, 2022.   ...

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2022 EI T4E from Service Canada

All 2022 T4E will be issued as of February 1st, 2023 Every beginning of the year, Service Canada will issue your previous calendar year’s T4E for your EI benefits paid up to December 31st (Cut-off date).  This slip must be filed with your income tax return for that tax year. The T4E indicates the gross... ...

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How to complete my EI report and clear a pending report

In this page Your obligation to complete EI bi-weekly report EI report step by step instruction Pending repot Your obligation to complete EI bi-weekly report 4 digits EI Access Code letter Once you have completed your Employment Insurance benefits online application. You will receive a 4 digits EI Access Code, by mail, within 1-2 weeks... ...

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Is EI payment deposited weekly or bi-weekly?

How does EI payment schedule works? Your EI payment is issued every 2 weeks after you have completed your online EI report. You will be paid either through direct deposit (within 2 business days) or by mailed cheque (up to 2 weeks). EI does not pay your 2 weeks in advance. Your bi-weekly EI benefits... ...

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Medical Certificate

When you are on EI Sickness benefits, you may be asked to submit your doctor’s note to Service Canada. Please do keep in mind that you need to retain your medical certificate for at least 6 years in case of an audit. Generally speaking, EI processing office will request EI claimant to submit a medical... ...

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Record of Employment reason for issuing ROE

* * * New updates * * *  Block 16 should indicate the reason for the employee’s leave or separation from employment, or the reason why the ROE is being issued. Don’t add comments unless absolutely necessary. When the employee is no longer working because the business has decreased operations or closed due to COVID-19,... ...

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Working part-time while on EI or Maternity —

Earning while on EI rule Yes, you are allowed to work while on EI. To calculate the deduction against your weekly benefits, the EI office will ask in your report to declare your total hours and gross amount earned for the specific EI week. There is no such thing as maximum allowable hours you can... ...

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List of important EI forms

While receiving your EI, there will be situations where you need to convert your claim, fill in a questionnaire because you have decided to go to school or launch your own self-employment work. Regardless the situation, where there is a change or an addition to your current “available and looking for work” status, you will... ...

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 Record of Employment

The Record of Employment (ROE) is the single most important document in Employment Insurance. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) uses the information on the ROE to determine whether a person qualifies for EI benefits, the benefit rate and the duration of the claim. The ROE also plays an important role in controlling the misuse of EI funds. A ROE must be issued even if the employee has no intention of filing a claim for EI benefits.

To learn more about your ROEclick here

Question? We can help!

 

“At the moment, our call volume is high…” You might be very familiar with this message when you call Service Canada’s Employment Insurance telephone service line. This is why we have provided the email inquiry service to help answer general EI inquiries. We will respond to you within 24 hours for your EI question. 

UnemploymentCanada.ca is not affiliated with Service Canada.
We do not have access to EI claim and payment information.

Please DO NOT disclose your Social Insurance Number.
Our blogsite provides general information on EI only.