Employment Insurance Eligibility Requirements in Canada 2023

Citizens who have lost their jobs due to specified reasons are eligible for employment insurance compensation from the Canadian government. However, you must meet the eligibility conditions for Canadian employment insurance.

Because of the harmful impact of unemployment on citizens and permanent residents, the government implemented various types of EI. All qualified workers are paid for the time they are unemployed through these benefits.

You will continue to receive unemployment benefits until you find a new job. First, you must demonstrate that you are actively hunting for work. You might be able to get your EI if you have this evidence.

As a result, this article will concentrate on the eligibility conditions for employment insurance in Canada, the different types of employment insurance, the benefits of EI, and the benefits. As a result, as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will find this material useful.

What exactly is Employment Insurance?

When you hear the term Employment Insurance (EI), it simply refers to money paid to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are unemployed for a variety of reasons.

Most of the time, it is due to illness, pregnancy, or caring for a sick family member. This is a temporary solution to provide for these folks until they can return to work. This can also be extended to workers who have been laid off and are still looking for work.

EI Benefits Advantages

The benefits of having an employment insurance benefit are as follows.

Income support
Assistance with finances
Work-sharing advantages
The effect on the economy
The Drawbacks of EI Benefits

The following are the downsides of employment insurance. They are as follows:

Economic incentives that are detrimental
Contributing to unemployment
Employment insurance eligibility requirements in Canada
There are two types of eligibility requirements for employment insurance in Canada. First, there are general needs and specialised work conditions requirements.

General eligibility conditions for Canadian employment insurance

If you leave your job in Canada, you must notify the Employment Insurance Authority to find out if you are eligible for unemployment payments. Meanwhile, the eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits in Canada are as follows. You must meet the following requirements:

were employed in insurable employment lost your job due to no fault of your own have been without work and pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks have worked for the required number of insurable employment 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 (a written record of employers you contact, including when you contact them)

Employment insurance eligibility requirements in Canada for particular work conditions

Some jobs have particular requirements for receiving unemployment insurance. The jobs listed below require specified labour conditions in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. They are as follows:

Farmers’ specific conditions

Assume you are still determining if you are eligible for employment benefits in Canada as a farmer. Then you must meet the following criteria:

have accrued enough insurable hours to be eligible for EI benefits
fulfil the eligibility criteria for the type of EI benefit you sought for show that you are unemployed through no fault of your own for each week you claim EI benefits
are actively looking for another job and are ready, willing, and able to work every day your farming activities (self-employment) have been assessed to be minor in scope
Specific fishing conditions

If you are a self-employed angler seeking for work, you may be eligible for special EI as an angler. Notably, unlike other occupations, fishermen receive employment benefits based on earnings rather than insurable hours of work.

There are also special requirements for the following people:

Members of the Teachers’ Strike Force
People who work for themselves
Employees and residents living outside of Canada
Who does not meet the eligibility standards for Canadian Employment Insurance?
The following people are not eligible for employment insurance in Canada.

when you left your job voluntarily and without just cause if you were fired for misconduct when you participate in a labour dispute (for example, a strike, lockout, or another type of conflict) during a period of leave that compensates for a period in which you worked under an agreement with your employer

Types of Unemployment Benefits and Employment Insurance Eligibility Criteria in Canada

Your location and the type of benefits you requested for determine your eligibility for employment insurance (EI) in Canada. These are some of the advantages:

1 Income Advantages

This is a temporary income that helps you while you hunt for work or are unable to work.

2 Consistent Advantages

If you leave your employment, you may be entitled for regular benefits.

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this type of benefit:

You must have worked the required hours in your area within the last year. This figure is normally between 420 and 700 hours, however it is determined by the unemployment rate in your area.
Have contributed to the Employment Insurance programme. Typically, your employer deducts EI from your paycheque. This is how you contribute to the EI programme.
Be unpaid for at least a week (7 days).

Generally, you are ineligible for regular EI payments if you:

Quit your work for no apparent reason.
Are fired with good reason.
Have not worked for a specific amount of time.
Consultants, contract workers, and those who have not paid into the EI programme.

3 Unique Advantages

To be eligible for all forms of special benefits, you must meet the following conditions for employment insurance in Canada:

You have worked 600 hours or more since your last claim or in the last 52 weeks, and you are losing 40% or more of your weekly income.

4 Maternity Advantages

Maternity benefits are available to women who are pregnant or have recently given birth.

You must sign a statement indicating the exact date of your baby’s birth or the date the infant was born.

5 Parental Advantages

This benefit is available to moms and fathers who have just given birth or adopted a child.

You must sign a declaration stating the day the infant was born or the date the adopted child was placed with you.

6 Sickness Advantages

If you are sick, injured, or quarantined, you may be eligible for sickness benefits.

You must obtain a medical certificate to establish your illness and the length of time you have been unwell or injured.
You must establish that you are unable to work but would if you were not injured or unwell.

7 Advantages of Compassionate Care

You may be excused from work to care for a sick family member. You may then be eligible for compassionate care benefits.

Your sick family member must be at danger of dying within the next 26 weeks.
Your family member must be on the list of eligible relatives.
Questions and Answers

How much EI benefit may I receive?

Benefits can amount to up to 55% of your income. The maximum amount you can receive is $60,300 per year, or $638 per week.

How long will I be able to receive the EI benefit?

Unemployment compensation are available for up to 14 weeks. The maximum period is 45 weeks from the first day you began collecting benefits. This indicates that you are no longer eligible for employment insurance in Canada.

When will I begin receiving EI benefits?

If you are eligible, you will receive your benefits 28 days after you apply for them. If you are not suitable, we will tell you of our decision on your application.

When will I be able to quit getting my benefits?

You will lose your unemployment benefits if any of the following requirements are met. If you:

After you have received all of the weeks of benefits to which you were entitled, the payment period during which you can receive benefits ends.
you no longer submit your biweekly report
you request that your claim be terminated in order to submit a fresh claim

Can I get unemployment while I’m in jail?

You are not eligible for EI benefits while incarcerated. However, if you have been incarcerated but are later declared not guilty by a court of law on all counts relating to the event that led to your incarceration, your qualifying period and benefit duration may be extended if required proof is provided.

Conclusion

Finally, if you lose your employment, you can file an application to see if you are eligible for Employment Insurance. If you meet the requirements for employment insurance in Canada, you will get benefits within 28 days of submitting your formal application.

If, on the other hand, your application is denied, you may reapply within 30 days of receiving notification of the decision. You can get assistance from Service Canada with your reconsideration request.