Basic Advice on Applying

The basic procedure for applying for benefits can be found on the HRSDC website for Regular Benefits, Maternity and Parental Benefits, Sickness, and Compassionate Care Benefits. The HRSDC also provides information on your Rights and Responsibilities while on a claim.  This section is aimed at providing additional advice on the application process.

When applying for benefits, make sure you:

• Check the information on the Record of Employment (ROE) often referred to as ‘separation slip’, and mention any errors you find to the E.I. office.
• Make sure you answer all the questions on the application.
• If you have quit or have been fired for misconduct, be sure to give all extenuating circumstances to the termination. In the case of quitting, you must be able to show that you had Just Cause and that you had pursued other alternatives before terminating employment.  If you have been fired, you may still be able to receive benefits based on the test for Misconduct.
• When completing your report forms, make sure you answer all the questions correctly.  The Commission may assess penalties if you make errors.
• Continue to make your reports even if you are temporarily disentitled to benefits.  Failure to do so could result in the closure of your claim.
• Don’t ignore any letters you receive about your E.I. claim.  Make sure you respond to them within the dates specified.

Even if you think you may not qualify for benefits, you should apply for benefits immediately.  E.I. gives you 4 weeks from your last day of employment to file a claim.  After that, you will be required to provide an explanation for each day after the four-week period that you failed to file a claim.  Failure to apply within four weeks could result in the loss of some or all of your benefits.

You will require a Record of Employment from each of the jobs you worked in the last year to apply for benefits. If you do not have a Record of Employment, E.I. normally expects you to make attempts to get it from your employer. However, if you are unable to get your Record of Employment, it is still important that you make your application for benefits within 4 weeks from you last workday. Bring your pay stubs or other evidence of your employment to start your claim and E.I. can help you get your Record of Employment.

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Your eligibility for E.I. coverage depends on whether you have enough hours to qualify. Check the Regional Chart. Remember, EI only counts the hours worked in the 52 weeks prior to your last working day or up to your last claim, whichever comes first. If you have previously been assessed a violation by Employment Insurance, you may require more hours than the regional amount. Check Increased Hours.

As well, EI will look at your reason for separation. For example, if E.I. is of the view that you lost your job because of misconduct, or that you quit without just cause, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits.  However, extenuating circumstances will be considered in making their decision, so you may still be eligible for benefits if you have quit or been fired.  For this reason, it is very important how you fill out the forms given by the Commission, as it is your signed account of what happened at your workplace.

If you are receiving regular benefits, also remember that you are required to look for work, even if you expect to be called back by your old employer.  Failure to do so could result in a loss of benefit.

For you to be eligible to receive regular benefits you must also prove that you are available to work for each regular working day that you wish to receive benefits.  You may not be considered available if you have restrictions on your availability that limit your chance of finding suitable employment.

Availability is defined as the willingness to accept immediately any employment opportunity anywhere in one's work area by using any available means of transportation, without demanding anything more than what is suitable under the legislation in terms of type of work, wages or salary, hours and other working conditions.

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