EI: apply within four weeks, and check your ROE first

Employment Insurance provides temporary income support for people who lose work through no fault of their own, along with special benefits.

Apply promptly

Apply at canada.ca within four weeks of your last day of work. Delay can affect your benefit period.

You can apply before receiving your ROE if necessary — do not wait for it if the employer is slow.

The ROE is the key document

Your employer must submit the Record of Employment to Service Canada within five calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the interruption of earnings occurs.

The ROE is what allows the claim to be processed. Late or inaccurate ROEs delay claims and can result in penalties for the employer.

Check the separation code

The reason for separation is coded on the ROE:

• A — shortage of work or layoff
• E — quit
• M — dismissal
• N — return to school

Using the wrong code can trigger disputes. If you were laid off and the ROE says you quit, that will affect your claim and needs correcting.

What EI covers

Beyond regular benefits for job loss, EI includes special benefits covering sickness, maternity and parental leave, compassionate care and family caregiving.

Quebec

Quebec operates QPIP — the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan — for maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits, separate from federal EI. Premiums differ accordingly.

Severance and EI

Severance and other separation payments can affect the timing of EI benefits. Report all payments accurately when you apply.

What to have ready

• Your Social Insurance Number
• Your ROE, or the employer's details if it has not arrived
• Banking information for direct deposit
• Details of any severance or separation payments

While claiming

You will need to file regular reports and meet availability requirements. Keep records of your job search.