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

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 $650
• 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, see separate entry

Job Bank www.jobbank.gc.ca

• online employment information and job postings
• employers can post jobs online
• see separate entry

Program of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

Recorded information Mon-Sun 24 hours

• call Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm to speak to an agent

• 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

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