You may be able to get this benefit if you:
- Were employed in insurable employment (work under the authority of an employer in Canada).
- If you are not sure whether your employment was insurable, contact CRA at 1-800-959-5525 or visit the CRA website.
- Lost your employment through no fault of your own.
- Have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks.
- Have worked for the required number of insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim.
- Are ready, willing, and capable of working each day.
- Are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them).
You may not get this benefit if you:
- If you voluntarily left your job without just cause.
- If you were dismissed for misconduct.
- If you are unemployed because you are directly participating in a labor dispute (for example, a strike, lockout, or other type of conflict).
- During a period of leave that compensates for a period in which you worked under an agreement with your employer, more hours than are normally worked in full-time employment.
Social Insurance Number
For example:
- confirmation of SIN letter
- plastic SIN card (non-expired)
Apply for EI benefits:
- Apply for EI benefits as soon as you stop working.
- You can apply for benefits even if you have not yet received your Record of Employment.
- If you delay filing your claim for benefits for more than four weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.
- Submit an online application to find out if you can receive EI benefits.
- It will take 60 minutes to complete the application.
- To apply, you will need personal information like:
- Your SIN
- Banking information to set up direct deposit.
- Information about your previous employment.
Notes:
- If you are not entitled to receive EI benefits, you will be contacted by letter or by telephone to explain why.
- If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a reconsideration.
- If you are entitled to receive EI regular benefits, you should receive your first payment within 28 days of the date your application and all required documents are received.
- Before you start receiving EI benefits, there may be one week for which you will not be paid - this is called the "waiting period."
- You must keep a bi-weekly report about your work/earnings, training, and availability to work by internet or telephone.
- You could lose your benefits if you don't do this.
- Remember, EI benefits are taxable, so federal and provincial taxes will be deducted from your payment.